The First Baptist Church of Asheville also includes Renaissance influences. | Photo by AVLtoday
Asheville’s mountain views are a sight to behold, but you’ll find equal beauty in its historical architecture. In the 1920s, business was booming, and Asheville became home to 65 new commercial buildings. Development slowed as the nation hurdled toward the Great Depression, but the city was left with sleek, geometric art deco buildings. And the man behind many of these iconic structures was Douglas Ellington.
The NC native studied architecture at the Drexel Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, later studying in Paris after winning the 1911 Paris Prize from the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects. He developed his art deco style before opening an office in Asheville’s Flatiron Building.
Let’s dive into some of his most well-known local works (all erected within a few short years of each other):
Asheville City Hall
The roof sits like a crown on top of the building.
Photo by Sandra Cohen-Rose
Finished in 1928, the building is capped with an elaborate, octagonal red + green-tiled roof, using influences from mountain imagery and Native American motifs. Old design sketches show that Ellington had plans to construct the Buncombe County Courthouse as well, but it was never built — county commissioners opted for a more traditional design from Frank Pierce Milburn.
UNO Tournament | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $7 | See if you hit a lucky streak during this card tournament of epic proportions.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Inner-Vinnie Celebration | 4:30-9 p.m. | The Original Vinnie’s (North Asheville) | Price of purchase | Dress to the nines in your furs and pinstripe suits to celebrate Vinnie’s 15th anniversary — costumes get you a discount and potentially a free dinner.
WesFest | 6-8 p.m. | Enka-Candler Library, Candler | Free | Immerse yourself in the curated colors, immense imagination, and inviting symmetrical shots of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” — all while enjoying a fun activity.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Rory Scovel and Friends | 7:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $25+ | Local comedians Hilliary Begley and Cayla Clark will join the comic + actor on stage for a benefit show presented by Asheville Comedy Festival.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Celebrate Black History: Soul Food Supper | 6-8 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center | Free | Learn history with the foods that became central to Black communities, now considered soul food.
Judy Collins | 7:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $67+ | See the iconic folk singer perform from her discography spanning 50+ years.
Asheville StorySLAM - “Love Hurts” | The Grey Eagle | $18 | Come ready to tell a five-minute story about the sweet sorrows of love — or sit back and listen to others’ stories during this event presented by The Moth.
During their annual retreat, Asheville City Council identified four main focus areas for Helene recovery, using results from the citywide Helene Recovery Priorities Survey. City staff will draft action plans in the areas of people, housing, infrastructure/environment, and the economy, then present them to the council at a future work session.
Community
This week, you have two chances to weigh in on how the City of Asheville will spend the $225 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds awarded by HUD. Register for and find details about the meetings tomorrow and Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Arts
On Friday, March 7, the former Moog building on Broadway Avenue will open as Resurrection Studios Collective, showcasing the work of 50 local artists. Former Moog CEO Mike Adams and his wife Heidi began transforming the building into studio space after identifying a need to support the arts scene post-Helene. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Development
A bridge and access roads have opened at Enka Commerce Park, diverting truck traffic from Sand Hill Road. Plus, the park boasts a new 136,000-sqft building now available to lease, attracting even more economic growth. The development is currently home to 15 major employers, offering more than 500 jobs.
Open
Luna Gallery recently celebrated its grand opening in the RAD at 20 Artful Way. The gallery includes the work of four women artists: Maria Andrade, Kristy Bogart, Alice Scott, andDayna Walton. Visit Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Concert
Alt-country musician Sturgill Simpson will play two shows at Harrah’s Cherokee Center on Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21 during his “Who the F**k is Johnny Blue Skies?” tour. Join the venue’s fan club for the presale this Thursday, Feb. 20.
Festival
Originally scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 22, the “For the Love of Craft” festival from Asheville Brewers Alliance and FIRC Group has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 17. You can still expect plenty of craft brews and craft mac and cheese at the festival’s new date.
Feel Good
Asheville Humane Society recently shared the paws-itively adorable story of an out-of-town couple who wanted to help boost our local economy and adopt a puppy from a shelter impacted by the hurricane. Read about Champagne’s adoption — we think he scored a pretty great new family.
$0. That’s how much it costs to post your first job listing on our community job board. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain — you’ll discover talented local candidates. Try it now.
Category
Eat
Back for seconds
Don’t forget the sweet treats. | Photo via The Hop
Asheville Restaurant Week is back, beginning its second round tomorrow, Feb. 18. Through Monday, Feb. 24, you can try even more special dishes and deals from 50+ local restaurants.
Some restaurants have changed up their menus for the second week, so be sure to explore the new plates on offer. We spotted some fresh pies from Mission Pizza and an updated lunch special from Regina’s that sounds especially delicious.
Beyond dining out, you can support our local service industry by donating to WNC Tip it Forward to help them provide financial relief to our arts and food service sectors.
Click the button below to explore seven stellar specials we shared from January’s Asheville Restaurant Week.
This one’s for the potheads. Next Thursday, Feb. 27, East Fork is hosting a silent auction to support its community partner, Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT). Sip on drinks, snack on light bites, and bid on items like rare pottery and private factory tours — all to support the grassroots effort of SCT, connecting Swannanoa Valley residents with resources and finding housing for displaced individuals.
Answered
Answered
We asked you to share ideas for city boards and commissions that should exist. These were our favorite answers.
The City Dog Committee — Once per month for an hour, eight committee members, all dogs, will meet in a conference room to bark and eat wet food. – Jeremy B.
Patchouli Reduction Advisory Board — Propose long-term objectives for achieving a reduction of patchouli levels in the community. – Kate T.
Asheville/Buncombe Board of Bored Boards — A board to create boring boards. – Jackie F.
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