Asheville Art Museum

Celebrating artist Mark Peiser's birthday, who was .

A master and innovator in glass, Mark Peiser's contributions to the Studio Glass Movement and the creative community of Western North Carolina are immeasurable. After studying engineering, industrial design, piano, and composition, Peiser took a course at Penland School of Craft’s newly constructed glass studio in 1967. He remained at Penland and became the first resident artist in glass from 1967 to 1970, then built his own home and studio nearby, where he continues to live and work.

Peiser is known for his unique innovations in the field of glass, which have led him to work in series that are distinguished by the processes he develops. Since 2012, Peiser has worked on the Passages and Etudes Tableau series, in which he has worked to develop light-scatting formulations and treatments.

With repeat visits, you will notice that the luminosity and color of Passage Etude Tableau 2 changes depending on the amount of light that hits it, creating an ever-changing experience based on the work’s environment.

Image: Mark Peiser, born Chicago, IL 1938, Passage Etude Tableau 2, 2013, Hot-cast, phase-separated glass, and black granite. Gift from the James & Judith Moore Glass and Craft Collection, 2018.55.12

Mark your calendars for Thursday Night Live at the Museum, January 18. The evening features live music by Emily Martin and the Innocent Mischief. The Asheville-based group comprises Emily Martin (vocals, songwriter), Sarah Schultz (violin, mandolin, vocals, keys), Bryan Streett (guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Charlotte Martin (vocals). Enjoy their blend of intrepid lyrics and modern folk-mountain sounds in the Windgate Foundation Atrium or while you spend time in the galleries.

Thursday, January 18, 2024
6–8pm
Free for Members or included with Museum admission
https://bit.ly/46yHpk8

Unleash your creativity and explore the art of bundle dying, led by Kristin Arzt. In this class, you will learn how to work with whole plants to create colors and patterns on fiber. We will cover an introduction to natural dye plants and different fabric types, such as silk and cotton, including how to prepare the fabric, place the dyestuffs, and create organic patterns. Materials are provided.

Thursday, January 25, 2024
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

👉🏽To learn more and to register or https://bit.ly/3RHsxdI

Final weeks to see Romare Bearden: Ways of Working. This exhibition highlights works on paper and explores many of Romare Bearden's most frequently used mediums, including screen-printing, lithography, hand-colored etching, collagraph, monotype, relief print, photomontage, and collage.

Visit the exhibition, then drop into our multipurpose space next to the gallery for a short film that expands on Bearden's life and artistic brilliance.

First image: Romare Bearden (1911-1988), Lullaby at Birdland, circa 1980, monotype, 35 ¼ × 47 ⅛, framed. Jerald Melberg Gallery. © The Romare Bearden Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

As we bid farewell to 2023, the Asheville Art Museum wishes you a Happy New Year. May your 2024 be filled with creativity, inspiration, and artful moments.

Please note the Museum is closed for New Years Day.

Image: Asheville Citizen-Times, First Night Asheville, December 31, 1999, 2000, digital photograph on paper, 10 × 8 inches. Asheville Art Museum. © Asheville Citizen-Times.

As the year draws to a close, this New Year we will be celebrating YOU, and all the wonderful things your generosity and support have made possible at the Asheville Art Museum in 2023!

Serving as a source of inspiration for our Western North Carolina community, the Museum strives to ignite creative thinking, build relationships, and foster collaboration. We approach these valuable goals through interactive, accessible programming that is targeted to a variety of ages, abilities, and interests.

We owe much of our programming success to sustained community support, which doesn’t happen without you. Our staff and volunteers have been catalyzed by your spirit of commitment and engagement with the Museum. We continue to use your energy and donations to better serve the Asheville community as we continue to develop new programs, engage new audiences, and transform lives through art.

Please make your year-end, tax-deductible gift by midnight on December 31st. Your donation will make a meaningful impact on countless visitors, program participants, students, families, and educators in our community and beyond.

Please visit https://www.ashevilleart.org/donate/ to make a donation today!

Experience "Creative Flow: Yoga in the Galleries" at the Asheville Art Museum. Join us in collaboration with West Asheville Yoga for a harmonious blend of artistic inspiration and mindful movement in the new year! First session is Saturday, January 20.

Connect with the present moment as you flow through your practice amidst the thought-provoking artworks.

Allow the surrounding art to fuel your creativity and enhance the mind-body connection.

All levels are welcome, creating an inclusive and inviting environment for beginners and experienced yogis.

See dates and registration: https://bit.ly/47Uz8bx

Happy holidays from your friends at the Asheville Art Museum! In the spirit of giving, we hope you will consider making a year-end donation to the Museum’s Annual Fund.

By donating to the Annual Fund, you can help the Museum continue to provide high-quality exhibitions and educational programs that inspire and engage visitors from our region and beyond.

Your donation can make a significant impact on the Museum's ability to fulfill its mission and promote and celebrate the visual arts in Western North Carolina.

Please visit https://www.ashevilleart.org/donate/ to make a donation today!

Many thanks to our dedicated supporters who’ve already contributed— We deeply appreciate your commitment to the Museum and to keeping the arts in WNC vibrant. We couldn’t be where we are today without you!

Mark your calendars for another December Live Music Series performance. This Thursday from 4-8 pm, enjoy the incredible talent of Americana Soul singer-songwriter & guitarist Whitney Mongé.

Experience the magic as Mongé takes the stage in the Counter/Balance exhibition and the Windgate Foundation Atrium, creating a perfect blend of art and soul-stirring melodies. Her rich and sultry voice, coupled with a raspy break at the edges, has earned her comparisons to esteemed artists like Brittany Howard and Lenny Kravitz.


Program Details:
Thursday, December 28, 2023
4–8pm
Free for Members or included with Museum admission

Season's greetings from the Asheville Art Museum. Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday filled with creativity, warmth and inspiration.

Please note the Museum is closed today for Christmas Day. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum tomorrow at 11am. Visit our website for the current exhibitions and program schedule.

www.ashevilleart.org

Image: Henry Hammond Ahl, Merry Christmas All, circa 1935, oil on canvas, 8 × 10 inches. Gift of Dr. & Mrs. A. Everette James, Jr., 1992.07.15.21. © Estate of Henry Hammond Ahl.

Today, take a moment to revel in the art that surrounds you—whether you are at the Museum or inspired by vibrant mural on the street, or the simple beauty of nature. Let it awaken your senses and remind you that creativity knows no bounds.

Let the power of art bring warmth to your holiday season. Enjoy a unique downtime surrounded by creativity and inspiration by exploring the galleries with friends and family.

Please take note of our limited hours:
🎅 12/23 Christmas Eve: Open from 11am to 4pm
🎉 12/31 New Year's Eve: Open from 11am to 4pm
🎄 12/25 Christmas Day: Closed
🎊 1/1 New Year's Day: Closed

Take a tour on Sunday, December 24, and explore the inspirations and creative practices of artist Romare Bearden. See highlights of Bearden's most frequently used mediums, including screen-printing, lithography, hand-colored etching, and many more. The tour begins at 2pm.

Free for Museum Members or included with general admission; registration is not required.

Image: Romare Bearden, 12 Trains-Mid Morning Local, 1974, photo etching with hand coloring, 27 x 34 inches, framed. Jerald Melberg Gallery. © The Romare Bearden Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

We hope you will consider donating to the Asheville Art Museum’s Annual Fund this holiday season!

The Annual Fund benefits exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives. By donating to the Annual Fund, you can help the Museum continue to provide high-quality exhibitions and educational programs that inspire and engage visitors from our region and beyond.

Your donation can make a significant impact on the Museum's ability to fulfill its mission and promote and celebrate the visual arts in Western North Carolina.

Please visit https://www.ashevilleart.org/donate/ to make a donation today!

Many thanks to our dedicated supporters who’ve already contributed— We deeply appreciate your commitment to the Museum and to keeping the arts in WNC vibrant. We couldn’t be where we are today without you!

Winter break plans? Join us at the Museum for the holidays. We're open daily except Christmas and New Year's Day.

On view
American Art in the Atomic Age
Beyond the Lens
Counter/Balance
Romare Bearden: Ways of Working
Intersections in American Art
Western North Carolina Glass

Art Making
12/21 Makerspace: Holiday Cards • 5–8pm
12/28 Winter Art Camp: grades K–2 • 1–4pm
12/29 Winter Art Camp: grades 3–5 • 1–4pm

Performances
12/21 December Live Series: Laura Boswell (Chamber folk) • 6–8pm
12/28 December Live Series: (Americana/Soul) • 4–8pm

📍 View the December program schedule https://bit.ly/3WD0tZ8

Enjoy an enchanting musical experience on Sunday, December 17, that will add a touch of elegance to your weekend vibes. Steve Lapointe will perform classical compositions in the Windgate Foundation Atrium from 2–4 pm.

Gather your friends and family for an afternoon filled with beautiful tunes that resonate with the spirit of relaxation and joy.

Weekend plans? Take an Art Break and explore the Counter/Balance exhibition with Carla Funk. Learn about important examples of contemporary American craft, including woodworking, metalsmithing, fiber and pottery, by renowned American artists Albert Paley, Hoss Haley, Toshiko Takaezu, Stoney Lamar and many others.

Saturday, December 16, 2023
noon–1pm
Free for Members or included with Museum admission

The Museum's Annual Fund benefits scores of educational programs, including Tot Time, Winter and Summer Art Camp, and Makerspace. Your generous gift ensures that these exciting programs will continue into 2024!

Please visit https://www.ashevilleart.org/donate/ to make a donation today!

Many thanks to our amazing supporters who’ve already contributed— We deeply appreciate your commitment to the Museum and to keeping the arts in WNC vibrant.

Join us for a festive Tot Time at the Museum from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Thursday. Children ages 0–5 and their families can enjoy an Express Tour of our galleries, then explore with holiday-themed artmaking in the Museum’s interactive Art PLAYce. Hot chocolate and cookies await, and the joy of cheerful festive tunes to ring in the holiday season.

Free for Members or included with Museum general admission (admission for children under 6 is free). Space is limited; online registration recommended.

Register https://bit.ly/3Nm6rvT

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and we're here to help with gift ideas! From kids, students, and teachers to art lovers, bookworms, and those who have everything, you're sure to find something unique at the Museum Store for everyone on your list.

Our passionate Museum staff has curated a list of artful treasures that make for perfect gifts and add a touch of creativity to your holiday season.

Holiday Gift Guide 2023 Our Museum staff pick their favorites for the Museum Store Holiday Gift Guide 2023!

This week, December Live Music Series continues with violinist Monique Pinelli.

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit and the timeless beauty of classical music as Monique fills the air with festive tunes. Wander through the exhibitions Beyond the Lens and Intersections in American Art, each note adding a touch of magic to your gallery experience.

Monday, December 11 • 11am–2pm
Beyond the Lens* - special ticketed exhibition

Wednesday, December 13 • 11am–2pm
Intersections in American Art - general Museum admission and free for Members

Learn more and purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/46yHpk8

Don't let the grey skies dampen your spirits—we've got the perfect remedy for a cozy and cultured day!

See exhibitions:
Intersections in American Art
American Art in the Atomic Age
Beyond the Lens
Counter / Balance: Gifts from the Robyn Horn Collection
Romare Bearden: Ways of Working

Remember to visit and ask about our hot cocoa creations bar. Indulge in rich, velvety hot cocoa with an array of toppings to customize your perfect cup. It's the sweetest way to elevate your museum visit.

👉 www.ashevilleart.org/visit

☕✨ Indulge in the magic of the season at the Asheville Art Museum's Perspective Café! Join us every weekend in December from 11am–3pm for a delightful experience at our Hot Cocoa Creation Bar.

You can choose between traditional or white hot chocolate as your base. Then, let your imagination run wild as you decorate your masterpiece with a variety of toppings.

Click on link in bio for a list of toppings and more. Remember to share your cocoa creations by tagging and .

$9, Museum Members receive 10% discount. Museum admission required.

☕✨ Indulge in the magic of the season at the Asheville Art Museum's Perspective Café! Join us every weekend in December from 11am–3pm for a delightful experience at our Hot Cocoa Creation Bar.

You can choose between traditional or white hot chocolate as your base. Then, let your imagination run wild as you decorate your masterpiece with a variety of toppings.

Add a cookie or pastry for the perfect dipping companion. Even Mrs. Claus could not resist the temptation!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/47MQGq3
$9, Museum Members receive 10% discount. Museum admission required.

Visit the Museum for an enriching experience at our afternoon Art Break on Saturday, December 16, from noon to 1pm.

Are you curious about the stories behind the art? Carla Funk, curator of the exhibition Counter/Balance: Gifts from John and Robyn Horn, will be your guide for this month's Art Break! Let her passion and expertise take you on a journey through the fascinating works in the exhibition.

These informal gallery talks are the perfect way to explore art in a relaxed setting. Share insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. It's an engaging opportunity to deepen your appreciation for craft art.

Free for Members or included with Museum admission, this event promises an hour of inspiration and creativity. Don't miss out on this unique chance to see art through the eyes of a curator!

The Asheville Art Museum turns 75 today!
Join us in celebrating three-quarters of a century dedicated to art and culture.

Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the Asheville Art Museum has been committed to being a vital force in community and individual development and providing lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through the visual arts. As always, we thank you for your continued support throughout the years.

Walk down memory lane and share your favorite Museum memories, exhibitions, or events with us in the comments below.

Join us this Thursday evening for a thought-provoking "In Conversation" discussion and book signing with author Benjamin Dimmitt, presenting "An Unflinching Look: Elegy for Wetlands."

Date: Thursday, December 7
Time: 6–7PM

Benjamin Dimmitt and Alison Nordstrom, an independent photography curator, scholar, and writer, will dive deep into the profound impact of our changing climate and rising sea levels.

Don't miss this enlightening dialogue that explores the beauty and vulnerability of our wetlands and the urgent need for environmental awareness.

🎟 Admission: Free for Members, or included with Museum admission
More about the book: https://bit.ly/3uMiLPK

Why stress about planning the perfect Sunday when the Asheville Art Museum offers a one-stop shop for an effortless day of joy and inspiration? Whether you're an art enthusiast or just seeking a tranquil escape, the Museum is your weekend retreat.

Discover a wide variety of exhibitions or the Museum's Collection. Pause your journey through the galleries and head up to the rooftop for a cozy coffee break in the Museum's Perspective Cafe ☕, or browse the Museum Store for unique holiday gifts that are sure to impress. 🎁✨

Come for the art, stay for the experience, and immerse yourself in creativity and culture.

The Museum's hours are 11am-6pm.

The Asheville Art Museum announces its December Live Music Series, bringing a harmonious fusion of art and music to the galleries. This unique series features Western North Carolina-based musicians Jessie Meltz, Monique Pinelli, and Laura Boswell.
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Harpist Jessie Meltz will kick off the series and play a wide repertoire to provide audiences with an eclectic musical experience. Monique Pinelli will perform a diverse set of holiday and classical music on the violin. The series will conclude with an enchanting folk-classical performance on the guitar by Laura Boswell.
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Performance dates:
Jessie Meltz / Perspective Café and the Western North Carolina Glass exhibition.
Friday, December 8 • 1–5pm

Monique Pinelli / Beyond the Lens & Intersections in American Art.
Monday, December 11 • 11am–2pm
Wednesday, December 13 • 11am–2pm

Laura Boswell / Atrium & Counter/Balance exhibition
Thursday, December 21 • 6–8pm
Saturday, December 23 • noon–2pm

The December Live Music Series is free for Museum Members or included in Museum admission. Tickets are available for purchase in advance but are not required.

👉🏽 ashevilleart.org/events

The Museum is open late on Thursdays until 9pm! Join us this Thursday for a screening of Master of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly.

See a special film screening in the Museum’s Multipurpose Space of Master of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly. In this film, renowned glassblower Dale Chihuly discusses his history and what excites him about the medium, with additional insights about his life and style from friends, students and fellow artists. Afterwards, explore Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection.

EVENT SCHEDULE:
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Free for Members or included with Museum admission.
Four screenings on the hour • 5–9pm (Runtime 43 min.)
Pop-up bar and popcorn • 5–7pm

Stop by the Momentum Gallery to see some of the Chihuly Studio work in person.