Mountains of Art Expanding the definition and appreciation of art The Uncommon Art Guide of Downtown Asheville by Byron Belzak Asheville's big-name art galleries are well advertised and frequented often, for good reason. But if you enjoy looking beyond the obvious, as I do, you'll discover mountains of art in downtown Asheville in the most unexpected of places. Not so long ago, while I was enjoying a wonderful cheese omelet and cup of coffee at Beanstreet's, located at Broadway and College across from the BB&T building, I took more than a passing glance at the literally dozens of works of art that surrounded me on the walls and ceiling. Some of the oil paintings and acrylics, I discovered upon inquiry, were priced in the thousands of dollars.

		ART DISCOVERY #1: Finding fine art in a fine coffee shop is one of the perks of dining in downtown Asheville. On another day, while on a business call, I entered 39 Patton, a modern downtown office building near Wachovia, which houses a group of architects and interior designers, and discovered a wonderful selection of photography hanging on the walls of the hallway leading to their lobby. I asked about the photography at the reception desk and was given a short history about the photographer and his work. I can't remember the name of the photographer, but I remember thinking what a wonderful idea it was to take an otherwise bland wall and turn it into an ad hoc art gallery, for the enjoyment of the passerby and the benefit of the artist. Yes, the photographs were for sale (at reasonable rates, I might add). ART DISCOVERY #2: Finding fine photography in a fine office building is one of the perks of working in downtown Asheville. More than once after watching a movie at the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore Avenue, I have walked next door to ISSUES International Newsstand. It is more than an eclectic mix of publications. A small, yet stunning, display of photography and other art now occupy a good portion of this expanded store. The works are changed out on a regular basis, giving customers yet one more reason to connect with the issues of the day. ART DISCOVERY #3: Finding fine photography at a fine newsstand is one of the perks of going to watch a fine flick in downtown Asheville. As I continue to discover art in all the uncommon places in Asheville, I cannot escape one ongoing issue, one nagging question: what IS art? I've traveled abroad and trekked through miles of art in the great museums of Western and Eastern Europe, yet my viewpoint continues to expand. While recently reading a book about bazaars in the Islamic world, I found that the Islamic perspective regarding those who create art and those who create crafts is one of equal status, equally revered, unlike Western culture that typically elevates the artist above the craftsman. With that differing point of view in mind, my comparisons of what is art versus what is craft continues to blur, as I see the two forms, art and craft, side by side with increasing frequency. Case in point: while outfitting yet another new Asheville office, I considered the salvaged architectural treasures at Asheville Recyclers, located across from the famous Blue Spiral fine art gallery. I then wandered into the adjacent shop of The Asheville Hemp Company, which sells much more than sterilized hemp seeds and hemp clothing (not that there is anything wrong with that). From the colorfully painted funky furniture of Susan Burgiss to Bradley's handcrafted chairs made of old barn wood to original tiles by several local artists, the store's selection of crafts to accent any office or home is impressive. ART DISCOVERY #4: Finding fine crafts (or is it art?) in a fine architectural salvage store is one of the perks of exploring downtown Asheville. In my search for art everywhere and anywhere, I realized that even the most obvious of art, as found as part of the Asheville Urban Trail of street sculpture, lends itself to deeper discovery. For example, follow me to "the wall" on Wall Street, located near The Laughing Seed Café and next to Jubilee. There I always enjoy the view of three cats captured in bronze. (You'll likely have to search for the third cat, which is made easier and perhaps is more enjoyable when looking down from the second or third floor of the Wall Street City Parking Garage; by the way, the first hour of parking is free during the week.) This feline artwork in motion is the creation of local sculptor Vadim Bora. His second-story studio and gallery is located up the hill on the next street between 30 and 32 Battery Park Avenue, near the historic Flat Iron Building, which sports its own street art of a giant, old-fashioned flat iron. ART DISCOVERY #5: Being able to visit the artist who actually created a fine public sculpture is one of the perks of knowing downtown Asheville. On my personal art walks through the streets and alleys of Asheville, I stumble across new road protrusions of cement that are becoming more numerous, taking valuable curbside parking, and slowing down traffic (not that there is anything wrong with that). Some of these man-made islands are being used to display new works of art, such as on Broadway near the Mellow Mushroom pizzeria. I can't help but notice the life-sized sculpture of a boy walking on stilts. It's wonderful, and it's one of the newest editions on the Urban Trail.

		ART DISCOVERY #6: No matter how well I know downtown Asheville, I keep discovering more art in uncommon places, both indoors and outdoors. Malaprop's Bookstore and Café on Haywood Street near the downtown library is an Asheville destination spot, but not typically known for art. However, there is always a small display of artwork near the stage area where authors, poets and singer-songwriters get a chance to perform. Walk over to this special, well-lit art space for a close-up view of something new. The most recent display at Malaprop's features the art/craft (i.e., handcrafted contemporary clocks and mirrors) of local artist Clark Bell. ART DISCOVERY #7: Even the big-name places in downtown Asheville find a place to display and encourage new or relatively unknown artists of distinction. There are a lot of reasons that make Malaprop's a great place to hang out, and this is one of them; it's most admirable to encourage the public to buy art and demonstrate their collective love of the art and the artist who put their heart and soul into it. What better way to spend your money? However, in some ways, the best art deal in downtown Asheville can be found at Pack Memorial Library, the central library of the Asheville-Buncombe Library System. It is located on Haywood Street between Malaprop's and the Civic Center. I'm not referring to the library's books about art and crafts, which are certainly worth a look. I'm suggesting that art-lovers check out, literally, the art prints. Card-carrying citizens are allowed to borrow up to four framed prints at a time and renew them once. ART DISCOVERY #8: Take art home without having to pay for it. However, be forewarned that the library's overdue fine on a borrowed art print is steep and has been recently increased to the sky-high rate of $1.50/per day/per print with a maximum fine of $12/per print. So maybe buying art is a safer, less expensive venture after all. Across the street from the central library on Haywood Street is Gold Hill, rated as one of the nation's best coffeehouse by some national magazine, so my friends tell me. The coffee and atmosphere is better than good, and so is its artwork. Gold Hill frequently has a wonderful, albeit small, art show going on. Currently, it is highlighting local artists, according to Rapid River Magazine publisher Dennis Ray. Gold Hill's newest neighbor is Ariel Gallery, leased and manned by as a cooperative of artists and artisans who feature their crafts. The display is sleek and classy, an elegant showcase of quality glass, ceramics, fabrics and woods. Ariel is a must-see gallery by anyone's standards. It's gorgeous. And just a short walk down Haywood from Ariel towards the Haywood Park Hotel is the soon-to-open Woolworth Walk, housed in the recently refurbished F.W. Woolworth Co. building. Woolworth Walk is billed as an art gallery, diner and bazaar with an eclectic mix of art and crafts. Its grand opening is scheduled for June 14, 15 and 16. This high-profile location boasts almost 20,000 square feet with terrazzo floors and a grand staircase. Woolworth Walk, said owner Scott Sirkin, is filling up fast with artists and artisans who are looking for studio space and retail booths. ART DISCOVERY #9: Haywood Street is arguably the new art center of Asheville. But no matter where I walk in the heart of downtown Asheville, the place has come alive for the arts of every discipline, with an Appalachian bent as well as with world influences. For example, opening in mid-May is Craven Studio and Gallery, located at 58 Wall Street. It will feature the hand-built porcelain of Ian and Jo Lydia Craven, whose work has been influenced by their many years of living and creating in Spain. And then there are two performing theatre arts groups who are making their mark on downtown Asheville. In the basement of the Earth Guild on Haywood Street a just-completed 99-seat performance hall has opened featuring the North Carolina Stage Company. And on Wall Street beneath the Wall Street City Parking Lot and across from the Craven Studio is the Artists Resource Center (ARC) with its 48-seat performance stage. ARC is being funded in part by the Asheville Performing Arts Alliance. ART DISCOVERY #10: I just can't get enough of what's going on in the art scene in downtown Asheville. So please email me your press releases and observations about the art scene in the Asheville area and beyond. belzak@instantemail.com -- I just can't get enough. Did I repeat myself? I just can't get enough of these wonderful mountains of art. Back to Index of Articles >>

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