artsville newsletter July 2026 Roundup: ‘If Not Me, Then Who?’ In this issue: Robert Burch’s daring glasswork, Spencer Beals’ guerrilla art activism, and a guide for indie artists aiming to get noticed by The Big Crafty.
q+art interview Breaking Into The Big Crafty: Insider Tips From the Founders As The Big Crafty turns 17, founders Brandy Bourne and Justin Rabuck reveal what artists need to know to earn a spot at Asheville’s favorite art festival.
artsville newsletter Trailblazers and Torchbearers In this issue: Rachel David’s impact on public art, Asheville’s first public art foundry, and a toast to founder Louise Glickman on her 80th birthday.
podcast RED Metal Rising: Rachel David on Art as Activism in the Public Sphere Go behind the scenes with sculptor Rachel David as she discusses transforming urban spaces, building resilience through art, and mentoring the next generation.
exhibition Featured Open // Air Experience our summer exhibition, where outdoor sculptures by Western North Carolina artists transform parks, gardens, and trails into open-air galleries.
artsville newsletter May 2026 Roundup: Contemporary Craft’s Rising Stars In this issue: Go behind the scenes of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program, meet standout student artists, and explore their graduating exhibition online.
podcast How a Small College in the Blue Ridge Mountains Became a Launchpad for Craft Professionals Faculty from the Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program pull back the curtain on a little-known but beloved training ground for career crafters.
q+art interview Carving Out a Career: Meet Haywood Community College’s Next Wave of Professional Craft Artists Three new alumnae fresh from Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program discuss what it takes to transition from student to working artist.
q+art interview Out of Darkness: How an Artist’s Menorah Brought Light After the Storm In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Mitchell County ceramicist Gertrude Graham Smith’s light-bearing pieces emerged as beacons of hope and fortitude.
travelogue Appalachian Artists Make Their Mark at American Craft Made Baltimore Artists from Western North Carolina brought mountain craft to the 49th American Craft Made Baltimore, the largest juried art fair on the East Coast.
quick q+art Form Vs. Function: Where Do Craft Artists Draw the Line? We asked five artists from our winter craft exhibition, ‘Liminal Light,’ to weigh in on the age-old balancing act between aesthetics and practicality.
podcast This Crafting Collective Says Your 'Bad Art' Is Actually Perfect The ArtFolk founders discuss how letting go of perfectionism can ignite creativity and foster a welcoming environment for artists of all skill levels.
travelogue Crafty Date Night Ideas for Valentine's in the Blue Ridge Mountains From Ukrainian egg decorating to partner portraits, Western North Carolina's Valentine’s Day lineup trades flowers for hands-on creative experiences.
artsville newsletter January 2026 Roundup: Cozy Craftivism In this issue: Local zine culture, community-driven comfort initiatives, and insights on the enduring power of human creativity in the age of AI.
podcast Hominy Creek Comfort Makers: Inside the Library-Based Volunteer Group Stitching Kindness Into Action Hominy Creek Comfort Makers meets monthly at the Enka-Candler Library to create cozy handmade gifts for community members experiencing grief or illness.
artsville newsletter December 2025 Roundup: Built to Last In this issue: award-winning gingerbread houses, your most-loved stories of the year, and a look back at ArtsvilleUSA’s ambitious 2025.
artsville newsletter November 2025 Round-up: Sharing Food, Crafting Community, Seeking Asylum In this issue: artisan tablescaping, the Afghan Women’s Craft Collective, plus open letters from the RAD's Jeffrey Burroughs and Center for Craft's Stephanie Moore.
feature story Sisters in Stitches: Afghan Women Cultivate Community Through Craft and Cuisine Three years ago, Asheville nonprofit Sisters in Circles launched the Afghan Women’s Craft Collective to assist asylum seekers in rebuilding their lives in the United States.
op-ed Learning to Breathe Again: After Helene, Art Exhibition is ‘A Moving Classroom’ Stephanie Moore, Director of the Center for Craft, reflects on the powerful opening reception of ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ at the New Orleans Academy of Art.
travelogue The Spirited Return of Fall Festival Season in Western North Carolina Fall festival season in Western North Carolina is making a big comeback after extensive cancellations last year due to Hurricane Helene.
podcast How LEAF Global Arts Turns Life Into a Year-Round Festival Experience This weekend, the LEAF Global Arts Festival makes a triumphant return for its 30th anniversary at Lake Eden, NC, following last year’s cancellation.
podcast ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ Curators’ Panel: ‘Art is the Highest Form of Hope’ Join the curators of ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ as they discuss how art can drive economic recovery and strengthen cultural identity after a natural disaster.
exhibitions A Tale of Two Cities On the anniversaries of Hurricanes Helene and Katrina, artists from Western North Carolina and New Orleans unite in response to the existential crisis of our times.
artsville newsletter July 2025 Round-up: Make Summer Your Best Creative Season Why summer is perfect for creative pursuits, plus a spotlight on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s inaugural exhibition.
travelogue Plan Your Visit: Explore the Artists, Studios, and Handmade Treasures of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails The Blue Ridge Craft Trails, developed by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, promote arts tourism and support economic sustainability throughout the region.
