Rafael Guastavino Sr., renowned for his collaboration on the Biltmore House, passed away in 1908 at age 65 while completing the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville. This church remains the only building Guastavino fully designed and oversaw, reflecting his Spanish heritage through its baroque style. Modeled after a 17th-century basilica in Guastavino’s native Valencia,…
New Morning Gallery, founded by John Cram in 1972, opened in Biltmore Village. Inspired by Bob Dylan lyrics, the gallery has been a haven for “Art for Living” and has grown to occupy a 12,000 square feet space. Visitors have fond memories of the gallery, with artwork becoming part of their family traditions. The gallery…
Located in the heart of Asheville, the Center for Craft is dedicated to promoting the understanding of craft in the United States by supporting research, fostering critical conversations, and encouraging professional growth. Through seven national grant programs, the Center distributes $300,000 annually to makers, curators, and scholars, validating the study and practice of craft by…
Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum, founded by artists and officially established in 1948, is dedicated to playing a crucial role in the development of both the community and individuals by offering lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through visual arts. The newly constructed Museum, which opened its doors in November 2019, serves as…
“Black Mountain was not only a wartime refuge for artists and intellectuals fleeing the Nazis but was also a hotbed of progressive education where many renowned postwar cultural figures were formed.”WSJ Black Mountain College was a unique school in North Carolina that revolutionized arts education. Founded in 1933, it emphasized the importance of art in…
Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock North Carolina Carl Sandburg, a renowned American poet, first gained recognition in 1914 when his “Chicago Poems” were featured in Poetry magazine and later published as a book in 1916. His most celebrated poem, “Chicago,” vividly portrayed the city as a bold, lively, and reckless “Hog Butcher, Tool Maker,…