Well Crafted

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Issue:

09/2022

At the Penland School of Craft, visitors can find original, handmade work such as colorful woven textiles by Edwina Bringle. The school is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains for a wholly relaxing setting, perfect for makers and visitors alike.

In Western North Carolina's bustling metropolis, the Asheville Art Museum (above) showcases American artwork. This fall, the museum will have ten exhibits, both temporary and ongoing, filled with contemporary art and stories.

Sarah Wells Rolland at work at The Village Potters Clay Center in the River Arts District, or “RAD,” as it’s known.

In the RAD, nearly two dozen industrial warehouses have become studios for more than 200 artists. (Left) The Lift Studios, where Daniel McClendon paints and shows his works.

Ceramics on display at The Village Potters Clay Center.

A rivercane basket with butternut and bloodroot dyes by Ramona Lossie. Lossie's work was featured in the Center for Craft's summer exhibit "Weaving Across Time," a collection of nine contemporary Cherokee basketmakers who explored the boundaries of this centuries-old medium through size and materials. Although this exhibit ended in June, the Center hosts exhibits year-round.

Harvey Littleton, who lived in the region from the late 1970s until his death in 2013, is regarded as the father of the studio glass movement. Left, his Lemon/Cranberry Lyrical Movement (1989, 23 × 14 × 4 inches) is among the Asheville Art Museum’s holdings.

Momentum Gallery explores the intersection of fine art and craft.

The Asheville Art Museum exhibits American art of the 20th and 21st centuries, with a significant number of holdings related to regional artistic achievements.

Blue Spiral 1.

East Fork on Walnut Street.

The wine patio at Benjamin Walls Gallery.

Lexington Glassworks (inset) is an open glass studio and gallery, featuring the works of founders Geoff Koslow (left) and Billy Guilford and their team. Through their new resident assistantship program, they’re attracting even more talent to Asheville.

Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center (above) sells works by juried members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, including metal and mineral jewelry by Erica Stankwytch Bailey and woven scarves by Cindy Malovany.

Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Folk Art Center’s Allanstand Craft Shop is the oldest craft shop in the country.

Kenny Pieper cold-working a handblown piece of glass in his studio.

Founded in 1929, Penland School of Craft is recognized as one of the leading craft schools in America. Its influence has helped attract countless artists who came here to learn or teach and have remained in the area. From clay work to photography to ironwork, hundreds of studios are nearby, offering materials and instruction to those wanting to learn.

A pinched stoneware pot by Penland School of Craft artist Paul S. Briggs.

A colorful handmade quilt stitched together by Jason Burnett.

At Penland's 37th annual benefit auction this year, works from many of the school's artists are up for grabs.

Unique metal vessels crafted by current Penland artist-in-residence Adam Whitney.

Glass artist Sarah Vaughn applies precise carvings to her work.

Edwina Bringle, left, and her twin sister Cynthia, right, have been crafting at Penland since their artist residencies in the 70s.

Cynthia demonstrates pottery techniques for her classroom.

Cynthia's studio is full of her pottery—and some of Edwina's work as well.

Kimton Hotel Arra.

Holemann and Finch.

River Arts Distict.

OOAK One of a Kind Art Gallery.

RESOURCES:

Photographs (kimton) by Martha Pollay; (Holemann and Finch) by Andrew Thomas Lee; (RAD) BY Stephen Pruitt Photography; (Ooak) courtesy of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area; Jen Cole Rodriguez; (pot) courtesy of Penland School of Craft; Photographs by (Folk Art Center) Chelsea Lane Photography; (Kenny Pieper) Savanah Seevers; courtesy of Souther Higland Craft Guild; (scenic) Kevin Ruck; (Blue Spiral 1) by Bill Green; (East Fork & Wine Patio) courtesy of the Galleries; (Gallery) courtesy of Lexington Glassworks; (koslow) by Jack Sorokin; photographs (glass sculpture) by Steve Mann, courtesy of Asheville Art Museum; (Littleton) courtesy of Wiki; (Asheville Art Museum & Momentum Gallery) Blue Ridge National Heritage Area; photograph by Alyssa Ruberto, courtesy of The Center for Craft; (Asheville Museum of Art) by Sterling E. Stevens, courtesy of the Asheville Art Museum; (Ceramist & Ceramincs on Display) by Stephen Pruitt Photography; (River Arts District) courtesy of Explore Asheville; Photographs (scenic) CVandyke ; (weaving) by Jen Cole Rodriguez

ISSUE DATE:

Fall 2022

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Well Crafted

Well Crafted

Well Crafted