The Asheville Art Museum is entering a new chapter. When organizations are healthy and strong, they can look to the future. Therefore, the Museum is focusing on what steps it should take to better serve our community. One recent stride was the addition of an Online Collection database to our website. Since its launch in October, more than 1,500 searchable objects have been digitized and uploaded out of our growing Collection of 7,500-plus artworks. The goal is to enable interested patrons, scholars, curators, artists, and educators worldwide to learn about the Museum’s holdings, whether they are on view or not, and to make the Collection accessible to more of the general community from the comfort of their homes. We know virtual learning is here to stay, and families and students of all ages can use the database for exploration and learning from anywhere with an internet connection! Christopher Whitten, associate registrar for the Museum, speaks more about the project: “I think there’s this constant wonder among patrons about what is in the vault or behind doors. The online database allows us to share a significant portion of the Collection on a global scale. Often, there are inquiries by researchers into which artists we have. Others ask about potential gifting of more artworks by a current artist, or even by a new artist that would be a good fit within the Collection. The Online Collection gives a new, deeper Museum experience to visitors. With three-dimension artworks, we’re able to feature more than one view, allowing visitors to see the objects from multiple angles. “For many of the artists, we’ve included updated biographies, including where they were educated and/or taught. Keywords help visitors find artworks associated with a certain subject. For example, when one types in the word dog, it will pull artworks not only with the word in their titles, but also ones in which the descriptive field mentions the word dog. “Another great thing about clicking on an object record is getting to know its dimensions—information that’s not included on museum labels. Families and donors can search and find out what items were gifted to the Museum, and by whom. Our goal is to have the entire Collection accessible online soon. We’ll be adding large groups of objects every quarter, with the next round starting in January.” Thanks to supporters like you, the Museum can provide programs that facilitate and sustain meaningful relationships. A gift to the Annual Fund ensures the Museum continues to engage artists, educators, and other experts in programs that broaden and deepen our understanding of art, ourselves, and our communities. Help us continue to support Asheville’s deeply rooted arts community by making a tax-deductible gift to the Museum’s Annual Fund today, either by visiting ashevilleart.org/donate or calling 828.253.3227 x117. We deeply appreciate your dedication to the Museum and to keeping the arts vibrant in Western North Carolina. Because of your continued support, we can share the transformative power of art with our regional community and beyond.

From 11/15 – 12/31, we’re offering a Holiday Special on our subscriptions! Get tickets at a discounted price, AND get a free ticket voucher for our next play, Native Gardens! Check our website on 11/15 to purchase this limited-time deal!

This December through January, the Asheville Gallery of Art presents our annual group exhibition with over 20 local artists participating. This year’s theme is titled “Winter Magic”. The opening reception will be held on Friday, December 2nd from 5-8pm.

Compared to the showy colors of autumn, winter can be seen as a drab time of year, but from an artist’s viewpoint, it is a time of magic. Picture the soft, subtle light of winter, casting reflections and shadows of peach, amber, cerulean, and violet; the dazzling brightness of snow across a landscape; the quiet, peaceful, stillness of a walk along a snowy forest path; the awe inspiring sight of snowcapped mountains; or the joy of winter holidays filled with light and love and hope. These subjects and more form the inspiration for our upcoming exhibition. Here you will find an array of paintings that will warm your heart and carry you through the cold winter months.

Visit us from December 1st through January 31st and let the Asheville Gallery of Art artists take you on a journey into the magic of winter.

[HENDERSONVILLE, NC, Saturday, September 4th, 2021]
On the first Saturday of each month, Continuum Art hosts an art market to showcase local artists and makers. Ranging in mediums from paintings, to textiles, to jewelry, you’re guaranteed to find something you love! Each market also hosts live music and local caterers. A free, family-friendly event and a great way to check out our space and upcoming events. Visit us from 12-5pm on September 4th!
If you’re interested in vending at one of our art markets, email [email protected] or DM on Instagram @continuumgallerync

Decorating Your Windows for the Holiday Season? Join the Holiday Windows Walking Tour. Plus Share Holiday Happenings Downtown businesses: Are you decorating your windows for the Holiday Season? Be sure to let us know and we will include you on our Holiday Windows Walking Tour. This is a self-guided tour for people to follow as the stroll Downtown Asheville throughout the holidays. Also, are you have a holiday sale, event or promotion? We’re happy to share through our social media, newsletters and press releases.

• Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
• Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
• Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
• Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!

Merchants all over Henderson County vie for the honor of best holiday window displays and lighting, Take a drive around the county then vote for your favorite store front online, All displays will be available to view by November 26, but voting is only open December 6 – 17, Find the list of participants and information for online voting.

the City of Hendersonville will begin their fall bulk leaf collection service for City residents. Bulk leaf collection will continue throughout the fall season and conclude on December 30.

During bulk leaf collection, City residents should pile loose leaves as close to the street, curb, or sidewalk as possible without placing the leaves in the roadway or on the sidewalk. Leaves should not be bagged by City of Hendersonville residents.

Residents can help prevent safety hazards by keeping leaf piles out of the sidewalks. Obstructed sidewalks may force people to walk into the street and pose a danger for pedestrians and motorists. Keeping leaf piles out of the roadways and sidewalks also helps prevent debris from being washed into the storm drains which can cause flooding.

The bulk leaf collection process is separate from brush collection crews; therefore, residents will need to keep their brush and leaves in separate piles until bulk leaf collection has concluded at the end of the year. Leaf piles should be free of tree limbs or other objects that may damage collection equipment. Spring bulk leaf collection typically occurs during the month of March.

It is not necessary for the public to contact Public Works with leaf pick-up requests as this service is automatically provided to City residents. Leaf piles are picked up from homes every ten to fourteen days but, depending on the volume of leaves placed out for collection, the piles could be picked up sooner or later than that time frame.

Homeowners all over Henderson County vie for the honor of having the best holiday decorations, as voted on by you. You are invited to take a drive around the county to look at all the festive holiday displays and then vote online for your favorite. An interactive online Google map with all locations and a printable PDF will be available by Nov. 25, 2022.

Printed copies of maps will also be at the Hendersonville Welcome Center at that time. Online voting opens in December.

• Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

  We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

• Food Lions Feeds (11/9 – 12/12): Food Lion stores will be hosting Food Lion Feeds, which is an in-store food drive program where customers have the opportunity to purchase and donate a Food Lion Feeds for the Holidays box of food that will be donated to MANNA FoodBank.

Oral History Resources

 

Why Oral History?

 

 

“You don’t have to be famous for your life to be history.” -Nell Sigmon

 

 

The words above serve as the unofficial motto of the Southern Oral History Program, a project that has inspired and guided the development of Buncombe County Public Libraries’ oral history collecting initiatives.

 

 

History doesn’t just live in public records, letters, maps, or photographs. Many people aren’t well-represented in documented history, especially those that have been historically excluded from power or property.

 

 

Oral histories gives people the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words and allow their voices to endure through times. Oral histories fill in the gaps of the historical record, and deepen our comprehension of the past and present by showing us how lives are experienced on an individual level.

 

 

Through conducting, facilitating, and collecting oral histories, we hope to help bond generations, build understanding, and strengthen community.

 

 

Oral History Backpack Loan Program

 

 

You can now check out an oral history backpack from Buncombe County Public Libraries!

 

 

Call your local library or 828-250-4740 to request a backpack. You will receive a phone call when the backpack is ready to be picked up. There is no cost to borrow a backpack!

 

 

Your oral history backpack will include everything you need (and more) to record a successful oral history interview, and (if you choose) to donate the recording to a collection where it can be made available to the public and preserved for future generations. Donating your oral history recording is not a requirement of checking out a backpack. Accepted donations must meet specific donation conditions and criteria; see “Donating Oral History Recordings” below.

 

 

Borrowing Rules and Procedures

 

 

• Only one backpack may be checked out per household at a time.
• Borrowers must be 18 years or older, with a Buncombe County library card in good standing.
• The loan period is four weeks.
• Backpacks can be picked up at any Buncombe County library.
• Backpacks must be returned during normal library operating hours, either inside or using curbside service. NO OUTSIDE DROP BOX returns.
• Files must be saved by the borrower before returning. All data on returned devices will be deleted and may not be recovered.
• Backpacks will be considered lost when 10 days overdue. The charge for lost items is: voice recorder $100; backpack $30; headphones $20; microSD card, adapters, windscreen, or hard-shell cases $10 each.

 

 

Forms and Documents

For borrowers:

• Borrower Agreement (must be signed when checking out a backpack)
• Oral History Manual (includes list of backpack inventory, guidelines, and basic tech guide)
• Video Instructions [COMING SOON]
• Oral History Question Cards (ideas to get you started)
• H1n Handy Recorder Quick Start Guide & Safety Manual
• H1n Handy Recorder Complete Operation Manual

Downtown Hendersonville
Peppermint Bear takes you on a fun-filled bear hunt in downtown Hendersonville in search of her lost cubs. Hint: the cubs are hiding in downtown businesses.

Once you have found a lost cub in at least 12 of 26 participating businesses and the shopkeeper has punched your brochure, you are eligible to win scavenger hunt prizes. Complete the entry form in the brochure and drop it in Peppermint’s mailbox in front of the Welcome Center, by Dec. 23.

For more details about the Scavenger Hunt, watch this video or stop by the Welcome Center at 201 South Main Street. Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochures are available at the Hendersonville Welcome Center.

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1 hour and 20 minute layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, a brewery, and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Our Virtual Angel tree is up for this holiday season. This gift tree provides our broader YWCA community a path to join us as we aim to support our program participants and their families with a holiday season full of love and support.

If you would like to adopt a family this holiday season please click here or email Taleese Morrill in our Programs team to get the details of how you can fulfill a family’s holiday wish.

If you prefer please select a gift from our Amazon wish list by December 1st, 2022. Gifts from the list will be mailed directly to our building and will be sorted and distributed by our YWCA elves. All items on the list have been selected by the families and are items they are wishing for or are in need of this holiday season.

All gifts must be ordered by December 1.

Programs Served by the Angel Tree

MotherLove
YWCA’s MotherLove program supports pregnant and parenting teens throughout Buncombe County. Our goals are to help young parents to stay in school and graduate, access higher education and vocational training, develop the skills and knowledge needed to become strong parents, and delay another teen pregnancy.

Getting Ahead In a Just Getting By World
YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families, and their community.

Early Learning Program
YWCA’s Early Learning Program provides 5-star childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Our experienced and compassionate teachers not only provide exceptional care for little ones, but also prepare young children to succeed cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. We prioritize families using childcare vouchers or caring for children in the foster care system.

Empowerment Childcare
The YWCA provides up to 12 hours of free childcare per week for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, accessing social services, or looking for employment. ECC works closely with the Family Justice Center, Buncombe County Health and Human Services, A-B Tech, Green Opportunities, and Mary Benson House.