Community Calendar

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.

**Show up at Ignite Jewelry Studios anytime between 11pm and 3pm to make your charms!

This is the perfect way to spend a part of your day while visiting our downtown Asheville metalsmithing studio and gallery. Come stamp and hammer a charm to your liking! Choose from more than 60 styles of metal stamps and a variety of jewelers hammers to complete your charm. You will start with a rectangular brass base, (or upgrade to sterling silver in a variety of shapes and styles) then choose your silver accent piece, and finally a gemstone of choice. After a quick demo by the instructor you can spend the next 45 minutes to complete your masterpiece.

Our magnetic tumbler will polish your piece to perfection and you have an option of some finishing patinas as well. Upgrade to earrings, make additional pendants for friends etc.

$45 Base Price includes a brass charm, gemstone drop, jump ring, and base metal chain. (Some silver upgrades available for additional cost and additional pieces may be purchased to make gifts, extras, etc!)

This is family friendly, kid friendly ages 6 and up (but the littles will need help with the hammering), and a great rainy day or indoor activity in downtown Asheville!

M4 (Music Movement Mountains Magic) 2026 is an interdisciplinary arts camp for adults - offering daily instrumental music classes (banjo, fiddle, keyboards, guitar, mandolin, folk cello) as well as dance workshops across genres (Contra Dance, Waltzing, African Dance, Reuda de Casino (Latin Contra!), Contact Improvisation, and Interplay (Storytelling and movement), and daily visual arts workshops. Daily evening contra dances, jam sessions, and mini-concerts open to the larger community.

Each day includes focused classes, shared meals, open jam time, and evenings devoted to dancing, music-making, collaborative performances and community. Classes adapted to all skill levels, from total beginners to advanced, in a welcoming environment.

The goal isn’t polish. It’s presence, practice, and joy in the creative process!

This is M4's inaugural event year. Mission/Goal: To provide experiential opportunities through the cultural arts to develop skills, expand creative expression, and model collaborative community. M4 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is affiliated with other organizations of like-minded interest, including the Country Dance and Song Society.

COME JAM ON TUESDAYS!
Fireforge's Open Bluegrass Acoustic Jam with hosts Matt Purinton and Sam Kruer is every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 pm! Everyone with an acoustic instrument is welcome to play. Come jam or listen and request tunes! It’s going to be a ton of picking and grinning . See you there!

MEET THE HOSTS
Matt and Sam are both veterans of the Greenville music scene. While both are steeped in bluegrass, they’re versatile in their ability to play many styles. Matt’s fiery mandolin playing and Sam’s rock solid bass grooves enable them to make an exciting bluegrass sound that you’ll want to rock with!

Reggae legends, Steel Pulse, live on the outdoor stage as part of the French Broad River Brewery Summer Concert Series on July 28.

STANDING ROOM ONLY

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM
Perhaps we can call them Avant-Prog Metal, or Grindcore Funk Theater, or in the words of one particularly rapt concertgoer “Satanic Anarchic Viking Shit.” Regardless, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum indoctrinates their audiences with circuitous melodies, unnamable harmonies and gleefully dark, evocative sounds emanating from an array of voices and instruments, many of them homemade.

WENDY EISENBERG
Wendy Eisenberg is an improviser and songwriter who uses guitar, pedals, the tenor banjo, the computer, the synthesizer and the voice.

On Animal Enrichment Day, guests see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. An enrichment is a special treat, new toy or even an unfamiliar scent given to the animals to break up their routines and help keep them active and intellectually stimulated. Watch enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. Activities kick off at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and adjacent Wildlife Habitats. Included with admission.

Join our intercultural summer day camps where children 6-12 years old explore music creation, international dance, music instrument building, and other forms of art in a joyful and supportive environment. Each child receives personal attention and a meaningful creative experience.

The 42nd Annual Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem show will be from July 26th to August 2nd, 2026. There will be over 60 worldwide vendors with all kinds of lapidary related items for sale. There are gemstones, minerals, jewelry, fossils, quartz, lapidary equipment and more for you to see and purchase.
The event is put on by the Parkway Fire and Rescue as a way to make money to purchase new equipment for the fire stations.
There is food available for purchase on site. There are many restaurants very close.
There are now regular restrooms and showers available.
The event is free to the public. Free parking and free admission.
Everyone is welcome. Well-mannered dogs are allowed but must be on a leash with the owner attached to the leash.
Dates are July 26th to August 2nd. Some vendors may be open on Saturday 25th. since they can set up quickly.
Hours are from 9 to 6 daily, with some vendors open earlier and later since they are camping in their booths.
Address is 136 Majestic View, on the hill above Skyview Circle. This is on the hill above the fire station on Hwy 226 South of Spruce Pine.
Contact information is:
http://grassycreekgemshow.org for more info and application.
Phone contact: 828-765-2117
Http://info@grassycreekgemshow.org
Donna Collis collisdonna@yahoo.com 828-765-5519
Roger Frye 828-766-6136

A Month-Long Showcase of Regional Landscape Art

"From June 26 to July 24, visit the gallery Monday–Friday (10 am – 5 pm) for a professional fine art show featuring the landscapes and scenes captured during Art in Bloom.

Admission: Free and open to the public."