Violin Maker Bows to Tradition — and Then Carves Away the Frills
Violin maker Kate Rickenbacker picked up her trade in the traditional way, apprenticing for three-and-a-half years under masters at the Chicago School of Violin…
Chocolate Has Feelings, Too, and Acknowledging That is the First Step
Melissa Quinn and her husband Zach hadn’t expected to become the owners of Chocolate Gems, the sweet shop on Broadway in downtown Asheville, but…
One Man’s Clay is Another Man’s Medium of Social Justice
Jim McDowell finishes all of his face jugs with anti-slavery messages and commentary on modern issues in honor of Slave Potter Dave, who inscribed…
Downtown Asheville’s Blue Spiral 1 Under New Direction
Blue Spiral 1, downtown Asheville’s oldest fine arts gallery, recently appointed Michael Manes as the new director for its Southern-focused collection of fine art…
Pink Dog Creative Commissions New Mural
Pink Dog Creative has commissioned one of its Southside community neighbors, Jenny Pickens, to design and paint a mural on the gallery’s shipping containers…
When Jousting Wrecked His Shoulder, He Braced for a New Career
For John Gruber, mastering the arcane craft of was a long, complex process, kind of like the medieval era itself. But the inspiration hit…
The Bees Showed Her What All the Buzz Was About
Lots of folks claim they felt “called” to move to Asheville. For Beatriz “Bea” Lothrop, the reasons were vague, but the impulse was urgent….
Artisan-Career Venue Spins Beer City Into Craft City
On a lazy Tuesday afternoon, a casual visitor to The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design might find its polished-industrial headquarters a quiet space…
Some Parkway Overlooks Aren’t Just for Looking
Most visitors describe the vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway as stunning, breathtaking, or at least picturesque, and Brennen McElhaney agrees with those assessments….
The Chopping Block That Doesn’t Give Deadlines
One might think Sam Benbow deserves a break from wood. At his regular gig, he works as a kitchen and bath designer and contractor,…