stories

Our journalistic coverage delves into the lives of talented makers and craftspeople in Asheville, NC, and beyond. Explore articles celebrating regional artists, their techniques, and the diverse arts scene of Western North Carolina.

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.

artsville newsletter

April 2026 Roundup: The Abundance Around Us

In this issue: A new art supply thrift shop in West Asheville, practical tips for a more sustainable wardrobe, and stories from the crafters shaping a greener WNC.

feature story

Sustainable Craft in WNC: Preserving Tradition, Protecting the Earth

Artists in WNC use local river cane, plentiful clay, and discarded chairs to create sustainable craft, preserve Cherokee traditions, and protect the land.

events + news

West Asheville’s New Art Supply Thrift Shop Wants Your Forgotten Materials

Opening on Earth Day with a mountain of donated supplies, ReMix It invites Asheville’s makers to gather, create, and give new life to overlooked art materials.

maker's guide

How to Give Your Closet a Second Life: Inside WAXON Studio

Want a more sustainable closet? Jessica Kaufman of WAXON Studio shows how upcycling and creative dyeing can transform your wardrobe and reduce waste.

artsville newsletter

March 2026 Roundup: This Woman’s Work

Inside: Craft artists debate form and function, WNC makers hit the road for Craft Made Baltimore, plus Gay Smith on the alchemy of soda-fired ceramics.

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.

artsville newsletter

February 2026 Roundup: Sparks Fly

In this issue: Our luminous craft exhibition banishes winter gloom, ArtFolk celebrates imperfect art, and Valentine’s brings hands-on date-night escapes.

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.

quick q+art

Where Does Human Creativity Need To Go That AI Can't Follow?

Four zine-makers from Western North Carolina share insights on the irreplaceable facets of human creativity in an AI-saturated world.

maker's guide

Long Live Print: 7 Resources for Regional Zine Makers

Explore resources for zine makers in Western North Carolina, from archives and indie presses to open studios and local bookshops.

feature story

We Didn't Know What 2025 Would Bring. We Made Art Anyway

From exhibitions to cultural milestones that brought WNC together, here's what we pulled off in 2025—and why it matters to the arts community.

feature story

Revisiting ArtsvilleUSA’s Most-Loved Stories of 2025

Join us as we look back at ArtsvilleUSA's top stories of 2025—featuring readers' favorites, staff selections, and hidden treasures worth rediscovering.

photo story

Edible Architecture: Highlights From the 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition

Following a hiatus due to Hurricane Helene, the National Gingerbread House Competition made its sweet return to Asheville at the Omni Grove Park Inn.

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.

maker's guide

Holiday Tablescaping: 12 Artisan Finds for a Memorable Celebration

Handmade treasures from Western North Carolina bring warmth, character, and charm to your holiday tablescape, from décor to dinner essentials.

op-ed

A Tale of Two Hurricanes: ‘When the Water Rises, Artists Rise, Too’

Jeffrey Burroughs, President of the River Arts District Artists, reflects on his role as a speaker and participating artist in the climate-themed exhibition ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’

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.

artsville newsletter

October 2025 Round-up: Magic Season in the Mountains

In this issue: reclaiming joy, a visual tour of the region’s best festivals, and a spotlight on LEAF Global Arts and the Street Creature Puppet Collective.

feature story

‘So Many Possibilities’: The Street Creature Puppet Collective Steps Back Into the Limelight

The Street Creature Puppet Collective brings whimsy back to WNC this fall, reviving the local arts landscape and delighting audiences at regional festivals.