The Holiday Market at the Asheville Art Museum

Open through Sunday, Nov 22nd!
Pack Place, downtown Asheville

Book Signings, Local Art, Cookies & Cider, Craft Demos, Free Gift Wrapping!




Plus Incentives! Let the Photos speak for themselves! Come see us!

Funding through Facebook

Chase Community Giving is picking its next charities through Facebook. Fans vote and Chase gives the winners a sizeable donation! Become a fan of the Asheville Art Museum and vote before December 11, 2009!

The Docent's take in Art

I learned something very interesting today... Steven Seinberg and I grew up in the same neighborhood in the Florida suburbs; we share memories of the same river, where the Florida wetlands butt up against the rows of residential houses.

Seinberg is an artist living and working in Asheville; his contemporary abstract paintings are inspired by the tranquility of natural settings. I hopped on a tour that the Asheville Art Museum Docents took this week of his studio, and as he was speaking about nature as a strong focus in his art, his paintings grow livelier and stronger. I can feel the breeze and hear the brook where he gained inspiration. I am calmed by the majesty of the mountains in the distance. He speaks about the importance of Asheville's setting for his work and the connection it has with his childhood memories where the Florida swamp is unforgivably intrusive, yet the lushness of the surroundings is easily forgotten amid daily routine. I suddenly remember the canoe I steered throughout middle school, down the river I spent so much time on during my childhood, and I jump back into the cool, refreshing spring where shark teeth can be found with a snorkel and a mask. It is a memory we both share, and one I forgot for so long; a memory that was overshadowed by Central Florida asphalt and unnatural suburban landscapes.

Steven Seinberg's paintings can invoke still moments that we all have experienced at one time. Standing before his work invokes the tranquil feeling of nature, moments of stillness, and the peace of healthy relationships. As I stand in his studio, on the second floor of a busy downtown street, I am suddenly aware of the greatness of our city- that he can work in the busiest part of downtown and still take inspiration from the stillness of our surroundings.

This is a perfect segue for the second part of the Docent's journey today. We leave the studio and walk a few blocks down to the Asheville Mural on Lexington Ave where we meet Molly Must, a 23 year old artist whose artistic dream for a rundown space under a busy highway overpass was realized- for Asheville's immense benefit. Understanding the power of urban spaces and mixing it with her love and knowledge of Asheville's appreciation for the arts, she pushed for this project to happen from city approval and feats of fundraising, to the logistics of scaffold rental and artist scheduling. She understands that art can transform political arenas and assist with social problems. Her vision extends to inserting art as a positive force in the lives of the underprivileged, the forgotten, and those on the fringes of 'productive society'. And not only that-she is a very talented painter.

This mural is a testament to her ambition, her talent, and her passion.

As I take photographs and listen to her speak- I am also aware of the awe and appreciation the group before me has for her efforts. The Mural has not only transformed the walls under this busy overpass- but it has also individually transformed so many of our daily lives and the lives that we have as a citizens of this great city.

Overall, I have to say that the Asheville Art Museum Docents get to do some very exciting things! They give their time and energy to the Museum in the pursuit of dispersing knowledge, entertaining visitors, and enriching any visit to the Museum- and we appreciate every moment of their time that they give to the Museum. Thank you to the Docents- and to Steven Seinberg and Molly Must for a fascinating Monday adventure!

Want to be an Asheville Art Museum docent? Contact Nancy Sokolove, Adult Programs Manager at the Asheville Art Museum. 828.253.3227 or email nsokolove@ashevilleart.org

Holiday Market Shopping Extravaganza!!!!

The Asheville Art Museum hosts its annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza! in the Pack Place Community Gallery (Pack Place off Biltmore Ave.) from November 17th to the 20th.

I was lucky enough to peruse the wares early today and I have to say that I will have a difficult time not buying everything....so many goodies....

But, I will just let the pictures talk. Most of the wares are handmade by local artists and thus, one of a kind! Buy local and artsy this holiday season and make your friends and loved ones think you are the best gift giver in the world.

Plus, an extra bonus- Museum Members get 20% off on Friday November 20th. That means on everything that you purchase at the Market! Not a Member? You should join! Not only do you get the discount but you get to visit the Museum for free at any time during the year and take part in our great film screenings, artist lectures, curatorial talks....etc. Fun, exciting, and free!

Handmade journals and calendars, homemade soaps and teas, ornaments, gorgeous jewelry, hand knit scarves, holiday cards....

Four of our region's talented authors will be signing books during the Market!

Tim Barnwell, Sue Millions, Anna Fariello, and Andrea Clark

Cider, craft demos, cocktails, cookies...And you can get it all gift wrapped on the spot by our fantastic volunteers!

Student Group Tour FUNDING Opportunity!

Attention ALL Western North Carolina Educators.....

We understand the rising cost of gas, the search for volunteer chaperones, the organizing of snacks and lunches and the fight for funding are often very strong obstacles against planning a field trip for your students. However, we here at the Museum also understand the awe of standing in front of the majestic Kenneth Noland painting, of walking around a Ruth Asawa wire sculpture, of being close to a Jasper Johns print, or of walking under a massive Gillespie aluminum sculpture. More importantly, we have also seen the benefits of a day learning outside of the classroom, we have been humbled by how students react to art in their own way, we have been surprised by a student's first encounter with an elevator, and we have been shocked by a student's interpretation of their own art piece.

Thus....it is the Asheville Art Museum's pleasure to share with all educators (parents, coaches, tutors, friends, etc.- pass the news on) this remarkable funding opportunity to make your visit to the Asheville Art Museum easier to plan, staff, organize, and execute.

Target offers educational funding through its Field Trip Grants. Educators can apply for a grant for up to $800 to get out and explore the world with your students! Bring your group to the Asheville Art Museum and have your bus, admission, personalized tour with a qualified Museum docent and even your lunch paid for!

Apply soon- the grant application period closes on November 3rd, 2009.

And check out the Asheville Art Museum's Group Tours. We can personalize them to fit whatever your class is learning about. Plus, students spend time in the studio for a hands on activity. Your students can do printmaking, painting, drawing, crayon resist, sculpture work, and more.. Get them learning about art with an interesting and adventurous trip to the Asheville Art Museum! And you can do it for FREE but you must apply in the Next SIX days!

Herb and Dorothy

Special Film Screening!

Thursday, October 29th at 7pm.

For one night only the Asheville Art Museum presents a special screening for all art lovers and collectors of anything.... at the Fine Arts Theater, downtown Asheville.

Herb and Dorothy Vogel are two middle class workers who live in New York City in a one bedroom apartment stuffed with furniture and appliances, turtles and cats, and oh.. yeah...one of the most interesting collections of Contemporary Art in the City.

Year by year, they collected, piece by piece, their love of art propelling them forward without regard to monetary wealth, popular fashion, or artistic fame. Many of their pieces were acquired before an artist became famous, and thus, they amassed an incredibly rich, varied, and fascinating collection, all within modest means- and with serious space constraints.

The film mixes artist interviews with time spent with the Vogel's themselves. They are charming and affable, humbling and real. They are the reason institutions like the Asheville Art Museum are so important; their genuine passion for art reminds us of our responsibility to collect, preserve, and educate our community about the inspiring power of art in all aspects of our lives!

The film has inspired many so far, and it has become a catalyst for conversation about art, collecting, individual passions, creative outlets, inspiring hobbies, the balance of work and play, and so much more!

Bring a friend to this special ONE night opportunity and have your own conversation inspired by Herb and Dorothy Vogel. Where will it lead you?

Here is the official site.

Get your Advance Tickets by contacting the Asheville Art Museum!

Curl up with a good book!

It is chilly and raining here. ALL DAY. As I look out my window I see people huddled against each other, walking through downtown Asheville, fighting with their umbrellas, and I shudder.

But, do not despair my good readers. Today is the day I venture back into Kurt Vonnegut's strange and deliriously glorious stories as I hold in my hand his novel- Bluebeard. In it, Vonnegut tells the tale of fictional Abstract Expressionist painter Rabo Karabekian who first appeared in Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions, which also happens to be the last book I read of his.

Vonnegut's book takes it's name from Charles Perrault's Bluebeard, published in 1697. Perrault is the French author whose work led to the 'fairy tale' genre. Although the Brothers Grimm (or Disney) often get much of the credit from us today for those classic fairy tales, Perrault wrote earlier versions of the fairy tales we all love and cherish like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots.... And, of course, Perrault himself was 'inspired' by earlier folk tales.

Knowing all of this, imagine what Vonnegut can do with a story he wrote that was inspired, although very roughly, by Perrault, the man of 'fairy tales'.

Just listen to Rabo Karabekian, as he says in the beginning of the book: "I promised you an autobiography, but something went wrong in the kitchen..."

I can't help but be excited for the chilly, rainy weather so I can curl up with this fun read.

Join the Asheville Art Museum's book group Discussion Bound as they discuss this farcical delight! Kurt Vonnegut at his finest. November 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free with Membership or Museum Admission.

You can read Perrault's Bluebeard story here. Try to find his moral in Vonnegut's book?!

And if you need to know more about Vonnegut himself: The official site.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VONNEGUT BOOK? COMMENT HERE!