Getting to know us...

In the upcoming weeks, we'd like to take the opportunity for you to get to know us. We'll have staff members, front desk volunteers, docents, board members and others involved in the Museum writing blog posts so you have the chance to meet some of the well-rounded group. We're an approachable bunch, so say "Hi!" and feel free to ask any questions next time you visit.

This post is written by Judy Swan, Trustee and Secretary of the Asheville Art Museum:

I have been on the Board of the Art Museum for many years; that can be serious stuff. The real fun is volunteering at the front desk/shop. Visitors are always interesting and share their museum and Asheville experiences. The staff always has something interesting for me to do between visitors.

The first Wednesday of the month is free at the museum from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. That fell on one of my volunteer days this month and what a great day! The Mountain Xpress ran an excellent article about the Sewell Sillman exhibit just before it closed but in time for the free visitors. We had guests from NYC, Canada, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, California, Colorado as well as Asheville and nearby counties. All of this on a cold day between snowstorms mid-week in Asheville. There were young couples with designer winter jackets, family groups taking advantage of a free day, a couple of people my age who were interested in moving here. Earlier in the day I suggested some young people might come back when it was free. One couple did, but another paid and spent a long time enjoying all three upstairs floors of the Museum as well as the outstanding Director’s Cut exhibition in our ‘always free’ first floor community galleries. They appreciated my money-saving suggestion but had late afternoon plans.

Judy Swan (right) with her husband Bob at the Museum's 60th Anniversary Party at The Orange Peel.

Show us Your Original Photos!

Are you an amateur photographer who would love to share your work with other art lovers? We love seeing your work and would love to feature it on our Facebook page as a featured fan photo! First, become a fan of our Facebook page. Then, send your favorite original photos and information to Kim at kzdanowicz@ashevilleart.org. This is a fun way to share art between our friends and we are excited to see what you crafty people have to show us! Our very first featured photo was called "Deer" by Melinda Fulk.

Holiday Arts Extravaganza!

If you're looking for something creative for your young, artsy child this Holiday season, look no further! Sign your budding artist up for our Holiday Arts Extravaganza for 1st through 4th graders. Campers will spend four afternoons creating original art of all kinds. Here is a peek of some campers from our Summer Art Camp, 2010 to get an idea of all the fun your kids can have this winter!

The Genius of Peiser

In honor of our Work of the Week artist this week, Mark Peiser, I would like to share this interesting article, which was written earlier this year and posted on a blog called The GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet. It is a Q & A that gives insight into the genius of this glass artist and his amazing work! Also, take a look at the Peiser pieces we have in our Permanent Collection online.

Please click on the link to view the original article. We apologize for having originally re-posted the article in its entirety. Also, visit www.glassquarterlyblog.com for more information.

The Beauty in Watercolors

One of our current exhibitions, Sallie Middleton: A Life in the Forest, has been hugely popular with many museum-goers, especially locals who have known about her work for many years. Although Sallie passed away in 2009, her legacy continues in her amazingly detailed watercolors of nature. This exhibition will be over in just a few weeks on December, though, so now is the time to come get your fill of Sallie's work, whether you've enjoyed it in previous visits, or if you haven't seen it at all. People often leave our exhibit feeling they have just had a taste of her wonderful work and want to know more! While attempting to learn more about her myself, I ran across a few great resources I would like to share.

Of course, there is her Web site which offers biographical information, anecdotes and an online store.

Here is an oral history as well as some great pictures of the artist from the library at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

In our library at the Museum, we have also acquired the book, The Magical Realm of Sallie Middleton, by Celestine Silby which was published in 1980. Museum guests are welcome to visit our library which is free with a Museum membership or Museum admission.

If you are interested in purchasing some of Sallie Middleton's prints, the Asheville Art Museum Shop is currently selling her Months of the Year series, the Four Seasons series and the Flutter series in sets and individually, which make excellent gifts for the Holiday season!

Come see, Sallie Middleton: A Life in the Forest before it is gone on December 5, 2010!

John Cage Video

Today, while browsing through some of the old documents at the Museum, I stumbled upon this video of John Cage featured on a TV game show in 1960 with host Garry Moore. Here, he is performing one of his avante garde musical pieces called "Water Walk," which involved a number of strange instruments like a bath tub, duck call, watering can and many more. During this time, Cage was teaching an experimental music class at New York City's New School. As you can see, this is a time when Cage's works were quite controversial. John Cage was one of the major creative voices in late 20th century art, both in his own work and his collaborations with Merce Cunningham and Robert Rauschenberg.

Three weeks ago, the Museum's Work of the Week featured a musical notation for one Cage's compositions. It's nice to put a face with the art. Enjoy this fun and interesting video! And then look back at his work in the Work of the Week and in our Permanent Collection online.

Holiday Shopping Just Got Better!

With colder weather approaching and the fading of the colorful leaves, the Holidays are now on everyone's minds. But instead of subjecting yourself to crowded malls and last minute shopping, you should consider attending this year's Holiday Market at the Asheville Art Museum!

As with every year, Museum Shop workers have gathered tons of great products from local artists and artisans. We have pottery, beautiful jewelry, wood-turned bowls, candles and so much more! We will also have several book signings by local authors like Jennifer Lipsey, Leo Monohan, and Katie Boyette. Not to mention all of the holiday music, treats, refreshments and beer kegs! It's not just a shopping extravaganza, it's a holiday PARTY!

The Holiday Market begins on Tuesday, November 16 and will run through Sunday, November 21. That's six full days of party and shopping opportunities! On the final day, November 21, we will also have a SunTrust Sunday which means FREE admission to the Museum AND a silent auction where you can bid on some more awesome local products. Plus you will get a chance to meet all of the artists who participated in the Market. Thanks so much to SunTrust Bank for sponsoring this great day!

So, now that you're pumped, tell all your friends about this great event! You will not only be helping out your favorite museum :) but also a lot of local artists! This is a great way to score some unique gifts for your loved ones.

Call us if you have any questions or would like to donate something to our silent auction! 828.253.3227

Plush "Monsters" by Canoo

Jewelry and Candles inspired by nature by Sumner Smith


Wood turned bowls by Jim Cascowski


Pottery by Dawn Dalto


One of the books we will have signed, by Jennifer Lipsey