Tag: local arts

Nestled along the French Broad River, the mountain resort town of Hot Springs is home to about 600 people. However, like the ebb and flow of the river, the town’s numbers swell with visitors seeking relaxation and recreation. The area has been popular with couples and families for centuries. But today, women are also flowing… Read more »

Just to the east of Downtown Asheville is the scenic neighborhood of Haw Creek. Named for the majestic valley where it lies, homes within Haw Creek are surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains. The neighborhood is crisscrossed by trails, yet is still conveniently located near one of Asheville’s main centers of commerce along… Read more »

There has always been a rich atmosphere of creation throughout Western North Carolina. The Appalachian mountains have a storied history of handmade crafts, ranging from weaving to woodworking, pottery to jewelry. Fine artists have been attracted to the area for more than a century, as well. Innovative artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Josef and Anni Albers,… Read more »

The Village of Flat Rock has long been called “The Little Charleston of the Mountains.” During the 19th century, the community was an oasis for affluent land owners from the South Carolina Lowcountry who built English-style summer estates there to escape the heat. Today, the entire district is on the National Register of Historic Places… Read more »

When you live in Asheville, NC, there’s rarely a reason to leave. After all, we have everything you could possibly want right here! From local produce and world-class cuisine to luxury shopping and amenities, the perfect holiday gift is literally right around the corner. But how can you possibly choose just one thing to purchase… Read more »

Within an earshot of Patton Avenue—a main artery of hustle and bustle into downtown Asheville—stands an old church. On the outside, one might mistake it to be abandoned or forgotten. But, upon entering the nondescript side door, the sounds of string instruments and poignant vocals ricochet around Echo Mountain Recording Studios. “I love the sound… Read more »

A small Madison County town, Marshall, NC is an enclave of artists that’s in the midst of a renaissance. > Marshall, population 800, is the Madison County seat and sits on the banks of the French Broad River some 20 miles north of Asheville. Marshall’s Main Street offers signs of the town’s unique blend of… Read more »

For many of our mountain communities, the arts have often led the way in the revitalization of main streets and town centers. Across the state of North Carolina, $2 billion in new investment has been made to our state’s main streets over the past 33 years. Among the 4,700 new businesses opened in that time,… Read more »

A rising jewel of the Southern Appalachian art scene is the River Arts District, a small but vibrant commercial section sandwiched between downtown and West Asheville. Decades ago, the River Arts District may well have been called the River Industrial District. The area sits low along the French Broad River and train line, which made… Read more »