East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk is Back!!

The 2nd annual East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 12 - 8pm. This year we will also be participating with the First Annual Shop West Asheville event!

Mimi Strang Design will be hosting artists in her studio, and Crazy Green Studios will be hosting artists from the 2nd Saturday Artist Market. Artists interested in vending with the 2nd Saturday Artist Market can send an inquiry to 'info AT crazygreenstudios DOT com'. In addition, artists will have the opportunity to apply for vending space at other locations in West Asheville through Shop West Asheville.

If you're an artist interested in vending for the Shop West Asheville Market, or for more information about the Shop West Asheville event, check out the website, and check back here for more details!

2nd Saturday Artist Market Updates!

Spring is here, and the 2nd Saturday Artist Market is getting ready to bring talented artists, craftspeople and musicians together once a month in rockin' East West Asheville!

We've tweaked a few things - you can get all the details at the 2nd Saturday Artist Market blog (click on the logo in the column to the right), but in a nutshell:

* the first Market will be Saturday, May 9. This is Mother's Day weekend and we anticipate beautiful weather and lots of people out enjoying the neighborhood and exploring Asheville!

* Artists may now apply for single months! We've had great response and some good feedback to the Market, and many artists let us know that it was a bit daunting to commit to three months at a time. We want to build a vibrant Market, and we want to offer the best opportunity for artists to show their work and build their businesses, so we're adjusting the policy to allow artists to apply for any individual or multiple months. If you've already applied and would like to adjust your application dates, just contact Lori via the email you have, there's no need to re-apply!

* East West Asheville and Crazy Green Studios are pleased to co-sponsor a special event for Empty Bowls on Saturday, April 11. This event will offer functional pottery made by members of Crazy Green Studios and area artists. Patrons will also be able to go 'hands-on' by decorating a bisque fired bowl. These bowls will be glazed, fired, and offered for sale at the annual Empty Bowls luncheon on World Food Day in October. All sale proceed for items sold 'under the tent' on April 11 will benefit Manna Food Bank. Stay tuned for more info on this event!

2nd Saturday Artist Market!!

EAST WEST ASHEVILLE PRESENTS 2nd SATURDAY ARTIST MARKET
Monthly market to promote artists and community

If you were lucky enough to discover East West Asheville during the Holiday Art Walk last
year, you’re going to love 2nd Saturday Artist Market!

The East West Asheville 2nd Saturday Artist Market will feature a select, juried group of visual
artists, craftspeople and musicians. Much like the area’s popular Tailgate Markets which
connect patrons with the farmers who grow their food, the 2nd Saturday Artist Market will give local residents and visitors the chance to meet the people who make the fine arts and crafts that have made Asheville a destination for all creative seekers.

The Market will take place on the 2nd Saturday of each month, rain or shine, from 10am until
3pm, from May through December. The December Market will coincide with the East West
Asheville Holiday Art Walk, which expands the Market to include area businesses and
restaurants.

2nd Saturday Market is located in East West Asheville in the parking lot adjoining the Studios at Domino Lane. Domino Lane runs parallel to Haywood Road, with access off Westwood Place, just behind Harvest Records. Located just off I-240, this convenient location provides ample neighborhood parking and a growing business community offering additional attractions to patrons.

Click on the link in the right column of this blog to see a map and directions.

The Market will accommodate 20 booth spaces, with two spots permanently assigned to the
hosting artists - Crazy Green Studios and Mimi Strang Design. One booth space per month will
be donated to a community organization to offer them a venue to share information, gather
volunteers or donations, or promote an upcoming event.

The remaining 17 spaces, each 10x10, will be assigned to artists from the jury pool, with a focus on a balanced representation of various media as well as quality work. A larger jury pool will be kept on file to fill vacancies throughout the season.

Applications are available to interested artists and community sponsors at the 2nd Saturday Artist Market blog, or you can send a comment through this post to get more information.

More Pictures from the Art Walk!

Many, many thanks to Zen, West Asheville's roving photographer who brought his great eye and his camera to the East West Asheville Art Walk! Here's a peek at some of what he saw, and you can see more if you check out his picasa album - he'll be posting more as he has time.

And a reminder to all in the area that all Art Walk businesses are open through the holidays, and many continue to have special holiday promotions!

the scene at Blue Barnhouse - you can still get great holiday themed cards, and
other items in other themes you really need to see for yourself!

Domino Lane Studios will be open this weekend and
will continue their Art Walk sale prices.

A taste from runnybunny - check out their Participant Spotlight
in the archives or go check out the studio!

Participant Spotlight: Crazy Green Studios

Crazy Green Studios is home to Pottery by Lori Theriault, and is one of the newest businesses to open in the Art Walk collective. In addition to some fine studio pottery of her own, Lori will be hosting West Asheville potters Jennifer Hoolihan and Catherine Shane. For the Art Walk festivities, they'll have functional and decorative pottery, gift certificates available for pottery and for classes/open studio membership (read more about that below), and some tasty refreshments!

'om' platter, Lori Theriault

Lori Theriault: I'm a studio potter who also offers an open studio membership in my studio for new and aspiring potter-types. My background in pottery includes four plus years of classes at a teaching studio in Washington DC (Hinckley Pottery), multiple demonstration and hands on workshops and a two-year Residency at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts in Asheville. My work is functional, high-fired stoneware and is available direct from my studio and in several retail and gallery locations throughout North Carolina and Georgia. My work reflects my influences from Asian art and pottery, but also refects my own interest in texture. The textures can be tactile or visual, obvious or those that are discovered only by spending time with a piece, and more importantly, by using a piece. In addition to my own studio work, commission orders are available for bridal registries, fireplace tiles and logo-branded functional and decorative ware for all sorts of business needs.

'swirly cups', Lori Theriault

I'm so happy to be a part of this growing and eclectic West Asheville neighborhood, and I'm very happy to offer open studio access to new and aspiring potters. With membership, you can come to the studio anytime during open hours and have use of the facility, including tools, clay, glazes and firings. And if you need some help getting started, you'll get instruction too! I'll have information and gift certificates available at the Art Walk for membership, private lessons and of course the actual pottery. Whether it be by my hand or yours, you can give the gift of hand made this year!

holiday ornament, Lori Theriault

Crazy Green Studios is happy and proud to host two talented West Asheville potters for the East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk! Here's a little about them:

R-L: teapot, creamer & sugar bowl, Jennifer Hoolihan

Jennifer Hoolihan:
As a potter residing in the east west Asheville hood, Jennifer Hoolihan is proud to be a guest artist at Crazy Green Studios. She mainly produces functional dinnerware and loves how handmade dishes bring vitality to the table. Knowing that people are using her pots on a daily basis is an important part of her motivation. "I love it that my mugs are bouncing around in many cars and trucks in Asheville and beyond. I sometimes wish I could see a snapshot of where they are now." In addition to being a potter, Jennifer is also the Ceramic Technician at Highwater Clays. An avid gardner, cook and poultry enthusiast, she has taught pottery classes at AB Tech and Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts.

wall boxes, Shane

Catherine 'Shane' Shane: Shane is a gardener who loves to get her hands dirty. She's been working in clay for over 10 years. Her inspiration comes from her love for animals and nature. Shane's most recent wall boxes began as a way to display all those pretty seed heads and honey combs she finds in the garden.

Participant Spotlight: Pleasant Hugh Studio

Pleasant Hugh Studio is Simone Wilson, and who better to tell you about her...than herself!

Artist Statement:
I am a self-taught painter, assemblage sculptor, and gardener; I grew up in Georgia. I have unequivocally and absolutely been a scavenger and collector all of my life. As a child, it was nature’s objects that struck my fancy such as rocks, driftwood, dried up bird’s eggs and seed pods, bits of shell and bone. But, also hoarded away were pieces of colored glass, marbles, keys, and pennies flattened on a railroad track. All of these treasures were brought out often and arranged and rearranged for my own visual pleasure and then put back in their brown paper bags and cigar boxes which were also carefully arranged on a shelf in my parent’s basement. As a young adult my obsessive scavenging included larger “treasures” like broken furniture, old roof tin, architectural pieces, and other found objects.

My three-dimensional works consists of these found objects. Nothing that is potentially useful is left behind. Even recycled bolts, screws, nails, and bailing wire are used in each hand-built piece. I often use an assemblage process which yields figurative and rather anatomic works. Through this process each piece becomes a representation of someone I know, or a caricature of a personality that has struck me in some way.

I am also a painter and often combine my painted works with my sculpture, using the assembled works as a backdrop for the paintings. I take inspiration from the Southern rural landscape, the people and creatures I have known or seen, and childhood memories of growing up in the South. Therefore it seems appropriate to place my paintings amongst the objects and materials that I have salvaged throughout the Southeast, these remnants of the past. In a sense, many of my assemblage works are collaborations between myself and others I never knew but through the creative process I feel a connection to and a deep appreciation for them, their craftsmanship, hard work, and the contributions and sacrifices they made.

When painting, I also often find myself drawn to the domestic animal and vegetable world when choosing my subjects. It’s a complicated world we live in, but when I look into the eyes of one of these canine, bovine, feline, or equine friends I find solace. I also find comfort in digging in the soil, and making plants grow, and tending them. There is simplicity, wisdom, tenderness, and very often humor there that cannot be found anywhere else.

As our ever-changing, fast paced society replaces old with new, I find magic on some level by resurrecting small parts of the past and making them new through artistic expression. I am continually in awe of and inspired by the people in my life and the furry and feathered creatures and the fruits of this good earth. I want the viewer to see and maybe remember something and smile.

“My works and images are simple and true-no dissection necessary. There’s not much dialogue there…………..or maybe there is.”

Participant Spotlight: A Touch of Glass

Established over 30 years ago, A Touch of Glass is truly the grand-daddy of businesses in the East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk, and indeed in the entire neighborhood. Owner Gary Newlin has seen the ebb and flow of Asheville development from his vantage point on Haywood Road, and the work from Touch of Glass can be seen where ever you find original stain glass and other glass work design.

Among the many offerings at the shop at 421 Haywood Road: Stained Glass Supplies, Repairs, Glass Blowing, Glass Beads & Marbles, Etching-Trophies-Awards, Commissioned Glasswork, Commercial-Residential-Ecclesiastical and Classes.

Workshops have ranged from kiln-forming (fusing, casting), glass blowing, bead/marble making and lampworking. Gary Newlin always hosts a great event, and workshop participants rave about the shop and its owner. Advice from one participant: "If you go by, look in all the corners and dark places in the building. Gary has so many nice glass pieces tucked away all over the place."

Participant Spotlight: BookWorks

Asheville BookWorks is a community resource for print and book arts in Western NC and beyond.

BookWorks offers a full spectrum of classes and workshops covering all aspects of book arts. Instructors are drawn mainly from the immensely talented and growing book arts community here in western North Carolina, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized.

BookWorks has become a gathering place for individuals with an interest in handmade books, printmaking, letterpress and related arts, through our exhibits, lectures and community outreach.

We are pleased to provide space and equipment for artistic exploration, collaboration and sharing of knowledge.

If want to keep up with what's going on at BookWorks, check out their newsletter, and then subscribe so you get the news first!

In addition to the upcoming Holiday Art Walk, BookWorks has another special event planned for this very weekend:

Interlude Editions will debut the first Cold Mountain Collection on Saturday evening, November 22, from 7-9 pm, at a celebration at Asheville BookWorks. Starting this year, and annually hereafter, Interlude Editions will publish and offer for sale an edition of a fine-press, handcrafted artist’s book, in three different formats: Deluxe, Collector, and Chapbook. Proceeds of the sale of the Collection will benefit Interlude Editions, which funds residencies at Asheville BookWorks for artists wishing to create limited editions of artists’ books and fine arts prints for education, exhibition, and distribution. You can read more about this in the full article.

Participant Spotlight: Custom Boutique

Custom Boutique is the labor of love of sisters Michelle and Tammy Goñi. They started Custom for three reasons:

1 - they wanted to create a place that would serve as an interesting and fun platform to get women involved in helping other women...which has led to several fund raisers and plans for more

2 - they wanted to have a shop where "women could actually come and buy something." One of their main goals is to be very cute and affordable. They believe there is something empowering about how a new outfit can make you feel, and it's no good walking into a shop and loving something but not being able to afford it.

3 - a very important reason for anyone to go into their business: they both love fashion!


Their fundraisers have also been 'fun' raising as well. Last July their clothing swap netted $700 and had two trucks of clothing left for a women & children's shelter. A recent cocktail party with silent auction raised around $1200 for the All My Sisters Fund (created by ABCCM).

The next fundraiser will be the annual clothing swap, on March 2. Go early, and if you see something you like, you'd better hang on to it!

Michelle and Tammy will have special promotions and beverages at the Art Walk, and they're currently working on some live music ... stay tuned!

Participant Spotlight: Mimi Strang Design

Mimi Strang Design is located in the Domino Lane Studios, cleverly hidden in plain sight behind Harvest Records on...you guessed it...Domino Lane (see the map for the exact location). Here's about Mimi from Mimi herself: "My studio has been located in the red building behind Harvest Records since 2004. It has been awhile since I've had the opportunity to focus on being a full time studio artist, but this fall, I have been enjoying a period between employment, to do exactly that."


"Well, I've been in my studio a lot, but the experience has not been exactly "focused". My work has felt all over the place, the studio is in disarray - parts and pieces and ideas covering all working surfaces."


"It's been great! I am primarily working in wood and fabric - quilting, decoupaging, screwing and tacking. My new work includes wall hangings - of course, floor standing sculpture, greeting cards and small objects."


"Stop in during the East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk. In addition to me, I will be hosting Simone Wilson and Leslie Fay."

Participant Spotlight: runny bunny

runny bunny is Robin VanValkenburgh, and she works full time as a studio artist in her studio/gallery at 520 Haywood Road, where all great small creatures roam.

She works in wood, clay, drawing and painting. If you click the image above, you can see her current work - here are a few tastes:



Robin also keeps current with her blog, aptly named Robin VanValkenburgh as Runny Bunny
where she shares new work and works that appeal and intrigue her!

Participant Spotlight: The Blue Ribbon

Another great recent addition to Haywood Road just off 240, The Blue Ribbon celebrated their grand opening on September 13, 2008 and has been one of the coolest places to be since.



The stats on The Blue Ribbon:
506 HAYWOOD ROAD WEST ASHEVILLE 251-4288

*Walk-ins welcome!! -....option to call in and reserve a time slot

***PRICES***
-short 20 bucks
-long 26 bucks
-buzz 12 bucks
-beard 5 bucks
-shampoo 3 bucks
-blowdry/style 10 and up
-color 45 and up (consultation)
-wax 12

**ride your bike, get 10% off!!**

HOURS:
Monday-closed
Tuesday- 10-8
Wednesday 10-8
Thursday 10-8
Friday 10-8
Saturday 10-8
Sunday 11-7


**ENJOY A COLD, COMPLIMENTARY PABST WHILE YOU WAIT

**GOOD TUNES

**LAID BACK ENVIRONMENT

**JOE GROOMING, KMS, AND GOLDWELL PRODUCTS

Participant Spotlight: Ship to Shore

Ship to Shore is an independent design label created by r. brooke priddy, designer & dressmaker. All dresses are made by hand by brooke at Ship to Shore Shop in Asheville, North Carolina. Custom work is available by appointment only on location at

Ship to Shore
426 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806

Participant Spotlight: Harvest Records

Harvest Records opened its doors on August 14, 2004. It is owned and operated by Matt Schnable and Mark Capon, two young bucks who probably know less about music than many of you think. But that's ok; because of this, they won't scoff at or judge your musical tastes. We're all in this together right? Mark and Matt opened Harvest hoping to make a positive impact on the music, art and intellectual communities of the West Asheville neighborhood, the city of Asheville, Western North Carolina, and beyond.

At Harvest Records you can find a widespread collection of new and used CDs and vinyl, as well as DVDs, magazines, books, visual art and more. And while you're here you can even take a nap on the couch. In addition to carrying such items, Harvest Records is taking a shot at show promotion, bringing regional, national and even international acts to perform in Asheville. We use local venues and art spaces such as The Wedge, The Grey Eagle, and even the store itself. Harvest Records has already brought the likes of the Microphones, Mirah, Tara Jane O'Neil, Mountain Goats, Orthrelm, Little Wings, Growing, Mono, Kayo Dot and more, hopefully continuing doing what we love.

Please stop in and say hello anytime. Or call or write. We'll be here - Mark Capon & Matt Schnable.

Participant Spotlight: The Admiral

You can make plans for lunch and/or dinner at the Admiral as you make your way through the Art Walk. Smack dab in the middle of the Art Walk map, The Admiral, at 400 Haywood Road is serving the best eclectic food in West Asheville 5-10 seven days a week, and a lite lunch menu from 2-5. The menu changes daily (brunch weekly) as they try to always keep the food creative and fresh.

Reservations are welcome 7 days a week for parties of 5 or more.

The Admiral is non-smokoing until 10 o'clock, and every Saturday night is Soul/R&B/Mod/Funk/Punk-ish dance night (so come early to Art Walk, stay late to get yer groove on!)

As for what 'the people' have to say, check out these reviews:

The Insider
Mountain Express
Yelp

Participant Spotlight: Steebo Design

Steebo Design is the one-of-a-kind metal reincarnations created by Stefan Bonitz. Stefan has worked primarily in steel since 1995. Various techniques are used to create the sculptures. Some are found object assemblages. Some use traditional forge methods. Some are actually carved out of steel. Many incorporate combinations of these in the process, but nothing is cast and no two works are alike.

new work: Mr. Wind

Artist Statement:
Stefan was born on Long Island, NY in 1969. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Greenville, SC and then to Asheville, NC at the age of five.

Crediting his mother for his artistic visions, Stefan began showing interest in creative projects as early as kindergarten and first grade. The big leap into an art career didn't happen until he was inspired by Howard Munson of The San Francisco Art Institute, who recognized Stefan's talent. With the help of Munson's coaching and rekindling of artistic attention, Stefan proceeded to co-create a retail outlet in Asheville, showcasing over 200 artists including his own works.

His media of that period, 1989-1995, included works of fabric, leather, airbrushing, acrylic painting, graphic design, and mixed media assemblages. The need to attach metal objects led to welding classes at Asheville-Bumcombe Technical College, followed by apprenticeships with several metal artists including Reed Todd of Asheville.

Metal became the primary focus of Stefan's work as "Steebo Design" in July of 1995. The main emphasis is on functional art, lighting, furniture, and garden sculpture, with a style ranging from folk art to high design.

Working almost solely in recycled found objects, Stefan's work continues to evolve and improve daily as the list of collectors also grows.