Asheville and its neighboring mountain towns are not lacking in talent! From the potters, painters, and jewelry makers in the River Arts District to the broom makers and ceramic artists in Leicester, expressive artistic talent abounds.
Tucked away in West Asheville along the railroad tracks is a very unique art studio unlike any other in the town. It’s called the Open Hearts Art Center; a non-profit arts education program for adults with physical and mental health challenges. Serving approximately 60 adults annually, Open Hearts was incorporated in 2005 by three artistic woman (Sonia Pitts, Jessie Francis, and Debbie Harris) with a passion to serve western North Carolina’s underserved community. Weekly art teachers at Open Hearts include students from local colleges/universities and retired community volunteers.
Although North Carolina offers other day programs for adults with disabilities, Open Hearts is unique, due in no small part to its Boundless Arts program. Boundless Arts offers participants/artists the opportunity to explore local art galleries and studios (travel!), while simultaneously building community volunteer skills at festivals, recreational events, and unique arts exhibits. In short, Open Hearts allows its special artists the opportunity to operate physically and artistically in a non-restrictive, creative environment that embraces physical, emotional, and mental health challenges. The opportunity to express raw emotion and life frustration with the stroke of a brush produces powerful art work.
Asheville’s broader professional artistic community has enthusiastically embraced the Open Hearts Center, with frequent invitations to display work in local galleries, at fundraisers, on the walls of restaurants, and even in local homes. Perhaps you’ve read other media articles about Open Hearts, including a January 2016 Asheville Citizen-Times piece, or you’ve seen their artistic work on display. If not, then you’re missing a treat! Stop by the Woolworth Walk (25 Haywood Street) in downtown Asheville during the month of February, as Open Hearts is the “featured artist.”
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s pretty cool! I’d like to get involved with this unique arts effort and give back to my community,” then have no worries. Open Hearts has plenty of volunteer and donation opportunities.
If you’re also reading this blog and thinking, “I’d like to explore Asheville’s broader arts scene,” or “I’d like to volunteer, but the arts are not really my thing,” then we can hook you up with information. Click on the links below to identify galleries, studios, festivals, and other volunteer opportunities.
Plan now to hit the streets of Asheville and its vibrant arts scene, with special attention to the artists who have made “giving back” their life’s mission.
Links to the Asheville area Art Scene:
• http://www.woolworthwalk.com/
• http://www.riverartsdistrict.
• http://cometoleicester.org/
Local Volunteer Opportunities
• http://www.handsonasheville.
This blog post was brought to you by Lori Brown!
It all started with a text from my mom, she is the contest chaser in the family, always entering us into these drawings. She told me that I had won 2 tickets to go to the Ikabana International 17th North American Regional Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville North Carolina. And there was also a Facebook post on AskAsheville from Craig at Pristine telling me that I had won some tickets and to take him. I then received an email from Holly Headrick at WLOS telling me where to pick up the tickets. 
There were demonstrations from the likes of Jennie Sterling, Emiko Suzuki, and Akihiro Kasuya. We went through the aisles and viewed the beautiful art, arrangements and styles. When I got back home, I jumped on the website to learn more about Ikebana. 
We met some new friends while we were there, and hope to see them again, somewhere around the world! 
So many great events happen during the Spring and Summer in Asheville. Montford Music and Arts Festival is one of those times that feature music, art, food, drinks and a wonderful community gathering. 
We always start by walking down the street and getting an overview of what is going on, meet a few people and get in festival mode. 
The music on the stages featured many local artists in the Asheville and WNC area. 
Asheville on Bikes had a “Bike Corral” where you could park your bike, saving you from looking for a parking spot. Plus, we are all Strive Not To Drive minded lately, so it fit in perfectly. 
Here is a personal photo I took of two of my older sons walking my baby daughter down Montford Ave during the festival. 
And, we got to meet a real-life fairy! Well I guess Asheville is known for that already, but I am always happy to see one of these breeds.