Stunning Mixed Media Exhibition by Asheville Artist Norbert Irvine
"Reflective Iridescences on Canvas," a major exhibition of stunningly colorful mixed media pieces by one of Asheville's best contemporary artists, Norbert Irvine, at UNCA July 1 - August 6; public reception with artist July 13
*PUBLIC INVITED to free opening reception at noon on July 13, 2009, to meet Norbert Irvine | The unique show features some 12 colorful mixed media pieces. Irvine's works incorporate prismatic papers, glitter, acrylic, opalescent colors, permanent inks and commercial holographic paper. One must see the works in person to experience the ever-changing play of colors as viewed from different angles and in different lights. | The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Irvine's works will be on view at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Gallery July 1 - August 6, 2009. | A reception and artist talk will be held at noon Mon., July 13, in the gallery. For details and directions, Click Here>

ON THE VERGE (AND BEYOND) GABRIEL SHAFFER: His art grabs the cover of WNC Magazine's May 2009 issue * File photo: MediaBear

Was Phish Phrisking Phrenzy Really Necessary? Mumpower Thinks So
The Big Pat-Down took place at the recent Phish concert as Asheville Police looked on
*EVERYONE ATTENDING THE PHISH CONCERT IN ASHEVILLE WAS FRISKED AND PATTED DOWN by private Access Security guards -- while hired off-duty Asheville Police officers stood close by with hands off, but handcuffs at the ready -- before anyone was allowed to enter the Phish concert at the Asheville Civic Center on June 9, 2009 | Some call the public frisking a form of profiling. Some say it's city officials' attempt to discourage rock-and-roll bands from playing Asheville. Others call it necessary to maintain proper law and order. Still others say the frisking is a voluntary search, since ticket-holders can have their money refunded to them if they don't want to be touched. | What do you think about the whole affair of being frisked before entering the Asheville Civic Center? Should symphony concert goers and gun show attendees be frisked, too? | For MountainXpress's Phishville cover story, Click Here> | For Phish's official website, visit phish.com or Click Here> | RECENT POST: Councilmember Carl Mumpower praised all involved, writing: "In a nutshell, I was impressed. It was apparent that city staff, our police, event security, the promoters, and the vast majority of those most important to a successful event, the Phish fans, were on their game. The atmosphere was fun, safe, and managed. The arena was not overwhelmed by the smoke of cigarettes or pot and it was evident that most folks were trying to do their part and respect the facility's rules. I understand that there were a significant number of arrests -- mostly outside the facility -- for drug activity. I appreciate our police officer's persistency in defining Asheville's Civic Center, public spaces, and downtown as a place you can come to have fun, but not a place you can freely sell and use drugs. In short, the difference between this event and the Ratdog and Wide Spread Panic events of several years ago was night and day." | TO POST YOUR COMMENTS: Click Here>

'On the Verge' artists at Arts Council gallery
*WHO'S HOT AND RISING IN THE LOCAL ART WORLD, according to WNC Magazine, opened at the Front Gallery on May 1 | For details of the month-long exhibit at the Asheville Area Arts Council on Biltmore Avenue, visit ashevillearts.com or Click Here>| For WNCmagazine.com's May 2009 article about its top ten list of emerging area artists (Ian Brownlee, Ben Johnson, Marie Knight, Genie Maples, Libby & Jim Mijanovic, Sylvie Rosenthal, Gabriel Shaffer, Ryan Simmons, Megan Van Deusen), Click Here> | For photo gallery of the April 30 preview party, Click Here> | EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are one of the 140 artists who did not make the cut, contact DowntownAsheville.com to explain why you deserve to be listed as one of the region's Top 10 up-and-coming artists and artisans -- and provide a link to your website: Click Here>
 

THE WORKS: SANTA SHRINE BY HARRY MCDANIEL 

*'MOUNTAIN SCULPTORS' ANNUAL EXHIBITION Opens Dec. 19 | Reception for a group exhibition, known as "The Works," on Fri., Dec. 19, 5 to 8 p.m. at Vadim Bora Studio-Gallery. Featured are the works of 19 sculptors, who are members of the Mountain Sculptors. This annual exhibition celebrates smaller works created by sculptors who often work in large dimensions. “The Works” brings everything down to size (two feet and under) for intimate study, calling attention to detail, technique, style, and medium. Sculptors include Ralph Berger, Vadim Bora, Barron Brown, Richard Conn, Elizabeth Franklin, Len Fury, Dan Howachyn, Ina, and Karen Ives. Also featured are the works of Harry McDaniel, Dale McEntire, Catherine Murray, Linda Pannullo, John Richards, Ripp Smith, Julia Stout, Tekla, Martin Webster, and Robert Winkler. The sculptures are in a variety of media – from steel, plastic, wood, and glass to copper, bronze, marble, and concrete. | For details, visit MountainSculptors.org or Click Here> | For directions to the gallery, where the exhibit will run Dec. 19, 2008, through Jan. 2, 2009, Click Here> | For some of the member sculptors' larger outdoor works on display at the North Carolina Arboretum, Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here>