A new immersive art installation is coming to Asheville
The Center for Craft is at 67 Broadway St. in downtown Asheville. | Photo by Gabe Swinney
Come late September, the Center for Craft basement will transform into a strange new world, with foreign ecologies, currencies, and customs dreamt up by Asheville artists.
The immersive installation, titled “Krafthouse 2023: Forest of the New Trees,” will have a three-week run in downtown Asheville from September 28 through October 13. Taking inspiration from famed, experimental displays like Meow Wolf, Burning Man, and Punchdrunk’s “Sleep No More,” the exhibit will be entirely self-guided, with tours that run every 10 minutes and last for about half an hour.
Jeannie Regan, who is a sculptor and director of SkillSet at UNC Asheville, is at the helm of Krafthouse as its inaugural creative director. Other local artists, who are yet to be announced, will join Regan in an exploration of how a small, self-sustaining community could make itself anew in the wake of a major disaster.
Wondering what that might look like?
According to a press release, visitors can expect a “night market atmosphere [that] will welcome visitors, who will be able to make, gift, and trade goods with the artists and each other, with the opportunity to take home keepsakes — as well as leave their own imprint on the space.”
The theme is inspired partially by the early days of the pandemic, when community members had to work together to survive and thrive in the aftermath. But this theme of resilience could be applied to any number of “post-major events” that humanity faces.
“Craft plays into all of that, because what we make says so much about us as individuals,” shares Regan. “What we make says something about what we want the future to be.”
For those who want to further immerse themselves in the exhibit, costumes and other materials will be available for visitors. Tickets are $15 and are on sale now.
Events
Thursday, June 8
Climate Resilient Gardening | Thursday, June 8 | 2-3:30 p.m. | West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave., Asheville | Free | Join Chris Smith of the Utopian Seed Project for tips on growing a diverse and heat tolerant garden — and take home a taro plant to grow.
A Narrative from the Inside: Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School | Thursday, June 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Reuter Center - UNC Asheville, 300 Campus View Rd., Asheville | $0-$10 | This hybrid event by the Asheville Museum of History features a discussion with Ronnie Pepper about the historic Black 9th Avenue School in Hendersonville.
Friday, June 9
Movies in the Park | Friday, June 9 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | Free | Continue this summer series with a screening of “Cruella.”
Opening Reception of Eidolon at Tyger Tyger Gallery | Friday, June 9 | 5-8 p.m. | Tyger Tyger Gallery, 191 Lyman St., Studio 144, Asheville | Free | Meet the artists and enjoy wine and refreshments by Newsto at the opening of Eidolon, the upcoming exhibition at Tyger Tyger Gallery featuring work by Margaret R. Thompson + Jacqueline Shatz.*
Saturday, June 10
Shapes of Summer: Pottery Pop-Up | Saturday, June 10 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Village Potters Clay Center Courtyard, Riverview Station, 191 Lyman St. #180, Asheville | Free | This exhibition and sale will feature the work of 13 artists, each with a unique style and approach to ceramic art.
Tea Travel Presentation: Gus in Taiwan | Saturday, June 10 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Dobra Tea East Asheville, 1011 Tunnel Rd., Asheville | $25 | Dobra manager Gus will share stories from his trip to Taiwan and offer a tasting of the special teas that he brought back with him.
Asheville City Soccer vs. Greenville Liberty| Saturday, June 10 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Greenwood Field, 1 Field Dr., Asheville | $12 | Watch the women’s team compete against Greenville for a special Pride-themed showdown.
Sunday, June 11
The Big Secret Festival | Sunday, June 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $23 | This second annual fest has the theme of “Giving and Getting Down,” with performances from The Secret Agency (with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo), Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, and Firecracker Jazz Band.
Silent Sundays - “Peter Pan” | Sunday, June 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Asheville | $18 | This screening of the 1924 “Peter Pan” will include a live piano score from Gabrielle Tee and a Q&A with film historian and writer Frank Thompson.
Monday, June 12
Menopause Cafe | Monday, June 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Hello, Gorgeous! Professional Bra Fitting and More, 61 North Merrimon Ave. #107, Asheville | Free | This discussion group is a safe space for folks to ask questions and talk about menopause — register to attend.
Friday, June 16
“The Big Trends Shaping the World Today” Keynote with Thomas L. Friedman | Friday, June 16 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Sherrill Center and Kimmell Arena, 227 Campus Dr., Asheville | Free | Hear bestselling author + Wall Street Journal’s No. 2 “influential business thinker” Thomas L. Friedman deliver the Asheville Ideas Fest keynote address; Registration is free but required.*
The Asheville Outlets has welcomed a new eatery and coffee shop to its campus. For coffee beans, smoothies, tea, and home goods, stop by Overlook Coffee Collective. And visit Cedeno Food & Mac Bar to build your own mac-and cheese bowls. (Mountain Xpress)
Community
The Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates its 25-year anniversary with a concert on Thursday, June 15 at The Hazel Robinson Ampitheatre in Montford. The show will also include a proclamation from City Council member Kim Roney, declaring June 15 as Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus Day. Get your ticket.
Coming Soon
Popular franchise Crumbl Cookies plans to open its second area shop in South Asheville at 1816 Hendersonville Rd. Just last year, the cookie shop opened its first location in the Westgate Plaza. Opening day is expected for mid-July. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Cause
Two local musicians are teaming up to spread awareness about domestic violence and abuse through a new project called Verbal Purple. The duo will put on a benefit concert this Friday, June 9 at One World Brewing West as one of their first acts. The event will also include a fashion show, silent auction, comedy and a dance party. (Mountain Xpress)
Biz
Devil’s Foot Beverage Company is expanding its distribution of “farm-to-can” sodas to Middle Tennessee. The sodas will start hitting the shelves in the greater Nashville area, as well as eight other neighboring counties, early this month.
Read
Asheville author Kae Heckerman Mance has published a book on dealing with and caring for loved ones with terminal illness. Titled “Living Well to Die Well: A Guide to Terminally Ill People and Their Loved Ones,” the book is informed by Mance’s personal experiences. Learn more of her story. (Mountain Xpress)
Edu
Now here’s some summer camps to get excited about. UNC Asheville is hosting a multitude of multi-day summer classes and programs for adults, kids, and college and high school students. Camps include: STEAM Sudio’s Skill Set, Pre-College Programs, and Athletics Camps and clinics. Explore topics + register (before classes fill up).*
Health
Need a primary care appointment pronto? No problem. Mission My Care Now offers convenient walk-in, scheduled, and virtual visits with a primary care provider at its 310 Long Shoals location, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week. Walk-in or schedule an appointment.*
Travel
Real flight deals Going members scored last month: A flight from Phoenix to Tokyo for $630 and a flight from NYC to Buenos Aires for $632. Sign up for free and see what crazy deals are offered on flights from your airport.*
Drink
Struggle to drink enough water? (Same.) This brand can change that — for 45% off.*
Try This
Events
Psychic Hotline pops up at Citizen Vinyl
A vinyl from Kieran Hebden and William Tyler that will be available at the pop-up. | Anna Powell Denton/Anna Powell Denton
Psychic Hotline, an artist-run record label from Durham, has big plans for its two-day stop in Asheville.
The label will host a retail pop-up, featuring special releases from NC artists like The Dead Tongues, Kieran Hebden & William Tyler, Flock of Dimes, and Peach Fuzz from 12 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 to Thursday, June 15 at Citizen Vinyl.
While the vinyl releases (which are pressed at Citizen Vinyl) are undoubtedly cool, there will be much more than albums for sale. On Wednesday, chef Paul Cressend will serve small plates, with aThokelay slinging Burmese tapas the following evening. Music heads can also expect natural wine from Pink Moon and a line of a Psychic Hotline-inspired craft cocktails from Session Cafe & Bar.
For all the Sylvan Esso fans out there, the pop-up will also include a DJ set from Nick Sanborn (who is one half of the indie electropop band), as well as Helado Negro, DJ Lil Meow Meow, and SHWNxSBTG.
Helado Negro will play on Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. And on Thursday, the schedule will be:
I’m loving the curated reading lists from the team at Buncombe County’s public libraries. This month, check out the Pride Month edition, featuring stories about and by LGBTQ+ characters and authors. Personally, I’ve got “Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller on my list.
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