A new blog is in town

Introducing Pollinating Asheville, a blog created by local arts activist Susanne Hackett to raise awareness and showcase individuals, businesses, non-profits, groups and government projects that creatively pollinate the community.
With a mission to develop stronger communities by building collaborations between local businesses, government organizations and non-profits, Hackett has created Pollinate Consulting to provide creative contract and consulting work.
For more information contact Susanne at pollinateconsulting@gmail.com
www.pollinatingasheville.com

Nothing is sacred in advertising

I was watching this video and thinking about how awesome spontaneous guerrilla art happenings are. But my heart sank when I visited the link that appears at the end and I realized this was all set up by A&E to promote their Hammertime television series - yet another example of how corporations co-opt cool underground art trends and movements.
I wonder how much the dancers got paid.

I wrote this play to make you love me.

With a title like "I wrote this play to make you love me" how could you not go see this show which is currently running at NC Stage Company in downtown Asheville. I realized the other day that 95% of the plays I've really enjoyed or had the most interest in attending played at NC Stage Company. As far as seeing good theater in Asheville - this venue seems the most reliable.
Written by and starring Anne Thibault, IWTPTMYLM is a terrific piece of theater which literally made me laugh and cry. Thibault carries the play with her powerful presence and her timing between vignettes is dead on. Using minimal props and no scene changes, the strength of the piece lies in Thibault's uncompromising script about a struggling actress - Lysette - who is dealing with the emotional woes of her married boyfriend. Along the way, we learn about past love affairs, her emotionally torn childhood, and her Catholic upbringing via really hilarious conversations with her brother.
When I read on the website that "only adults will be admitted" of course I rolled my eyes a little. I was thinking, okay, what does "adult content" exactly refer to - how risque is this really gonna get? In retrospect I can see why you wouldn't want to bring your kids to see this but I think teenagers could appreciate most of the content - especially girls. I know I could have handled it as a teen (Just not while sitting next to my mother. OMFG.)
They say we laugh to keep from crying, and the humor of this play is born out of some intense life experiences. I'm still giggling over that scene where she's comparing the guys tongue to a minnow. I have to admit, I shed a tear (well, many tears) the second act and was holding them back in the first one.
While you're at it, check out the two other plays that are running at NC Stage this season. Bitch from Bitch and Animal was sitting next to me in the audience and she filled me in on the fact that she and Thibault will be performing in a piece together beginning June 17. Sounds like a intriguing combination to me.
www.ncstage.org for more information and schedule

Celia Gray

June

September

These two encaustic paintings were created by Celia Gray, but this Asheville artist is well-versed in other craft disciplines such as blacksmithing, fiber arts, and metal-smithing. A two year student of Penland School of Crafts, Gray's work combines traditional methods with contemporary aesthetics.
Look for Gray's belt buckles and jewelry at The Big Crafty on July 12 and her encaustic paintings at Blue Spiral 1 next fall.
To watch an episode of Art Seen Asheville that was made in 2007 about Celia Gray visit this link. The video showcases her diverse talents as well as sculptural pieces she was working on at that time.
www.celiagray.net to see more of the artist's encaustic paintings.

Myah Hubbell

Myah Hubbell, creator of Recyclone Designs works out of the Wedge Studio Building in the River Arts District of Asheville.
Contact her at recyclonedesigns@gmail.com

Daniel Avazpour at FLOOD Gallery

Bad Luck You Are My Mirror

There is still time to check out the larger than life sized drawings by Daniel Avazpour on display at The FLOOD Gallery in the Phil Mechanic Building. The show will be hanging until May 29th.
The Phil Mechanic Building is located at 109 Roberts Street.
FLOOD is open Tues-Sat 10-4
This is Avazpour's first solo show in Asheville since he moved here last August. It is a must-see.

Shannon Plumb

The New York Times last Friday compared performance/video artist Shannon Plumb to Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin in their rave review about her work and the work of other contemporary female videographers. This video is just a teeny taste of her charisma and talent. To see lots more amazing and funny stuff visit her website: www.shannonplumb.com Posted there are excerpts from her most recent project "The Park" that are well worth checking out.
Oh, and I went to college with her!