American Craft Week Event: Open Art and Craft Studios at Asheville's Grovewood Gallery

October 5   Grovewood Gallery’s resident artists are opening up their studios to the public on Saturday, October 5 and again on Friday, October 11. Grovewood Studios are located on the grounds of Grovewood Gallery in North Asheville, across the street from The Omni Grove Park Inn.

This is a unique opportunity for visitors to interact with professional artists, see artwork at the source, and expose them to the remarkable talent that Asheville has to offer. These studio tours are REE and self-guided. Both Grovewood Gallery and Grovewood Studios are housed in the historic Biltmore Industries complex.

Biltmore Industries originated as a craft school in the early part of the 20th century to better the lives of the economically deprived youth of the Appalachian region. It soon grew and gained worldwide recognition for its hand-loomed fabrics. In its heyday, Biltmore Industries housed 40 working looms in steady operation.

Grovewood Studios were established in 1992, continuing Biltmore Industries’ tradition of supporting local craftspeople. Today, nationally known artisans create jewelry, furniture, pottery, glass and more, in the same workshops where Biltmore Homespun was once created.

Memorial Weekend Event: Kenilworth Art Studio Tour

May 25 -26   Kenilworth Art Studio Tour   Twenty-two artists invite you into eleven neighborhood studios & galleries. Browse and/or purchase original artwork. Kenilworth Artists Association is a community of artists in one of Asheville's oldest neighborhoods, with a lovely mix of grand homes, modest bungalows and mature gardens.

Over forty aspiring and professional artists live in the five square mile neighborhood just minutes from downtown. Each year, many of these artists open their doors to the public for a festive tour that attracts shoppers and art lovers alike. 10 AM - 5 PM both days.

Find more Asheville Memorial Weekend events HERE. 

River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend

October 13   River Arts District Second Saturday   Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

Historic Pisgah Forest Pottery Open Tours Today

July 20-21  Celebration at Pisgah Forest Pottery -  Pisgah Forest was established in the early 1920s as the third pottery of Walter B. Stephen. Stephen's potting began in 1904 and he established North Carolina's first art pottery, Nonconnah, in Skyland in 1913.

Several things are remarkable about this site. It has been preserved by Stephen's step-grandson, Thomas Case, virtually as it was in the 20s and 30s. The original equipment, kilns, glaze containers, etc. are as photographed in that era. Also his contributions to American ceramics are nationally recognized. His two most important are his crystalline glazes, the first developed in the South, and his cameo decorations of American folk life scenes. On the cameo works he recalled his early days in the west near the Sioux Indians.

Free guided tours of the pottery and demonstrations of Stephens's early pottery techniques by Rodney H. Leftwich, author of the book on Pisgah Forest Pottery. .These talks will be informal and ongoing both days.

Pisgah Forest Pottery is located 3 miles south of I-26 Asheville exit 33 ( Biltmore Square Mall). Follow Hwy. 191 past the Arboretum and Parkway. Event is on the left.