What happens when you toss perfectionism out the window and invite adults to play with glue sticks and torn paper? You get ArtFolk, the Weaverville-based collective where “making art is the only qualification to become an artist.” In this episode, ArtsvilleUSA Executive Director Elise Wilson joins ArtFolk founders Kelly Reese and Jennifer Jacey in Jen’s delightfully chaotic studio to talk about reclaiming creativity, dissolving the myth of “not being creative,” and why ripping up junk mail might be the catharsis you never knew you needed. From tackling the intimidation factor of Instagram-perfect art to building a genuine community that welcomes total beginners and seasoned painters alike, these founders are on a mission to prove that making bad art is not just acceptable, but essential.

Episode Credits

Host: Elise Wilson, ArtsvilleUSA Executive Director

Guests: Kelly Reese, Jennifer Jacey

Recording location: Jennifer’s magical, slightly messy Weaverville studio

Produced by: ArtsvilleUSA

Subscribe to the ArtsvilleUSA Newsletter for more stories and updates on the arts and crafts scene in Western North Carolina.

Are you sitting comfortably? Because this week, we’re taking a closer look at how the Hominy Creek Comfort Makers and their Enka-Candler Library partners are combining craft and community service. Host Elise Wilson cozies up with founder Pat White, along with local library legends Kate Spratt (branch manager) and Theresa Wallace (librarian and program master), for a conversation about how a group of crafters is comforting their community, one stitch at a time.

Why the Enka-Candler Library? The Comfort Makers needed a home base, a place to gather, create, and store their ever-growing stash of materials and handmade goods. Like most regional libraries, the Enka-Candler branch has become much more than a place to pick up books. Under the guidance of Kate and Theresa, the library now serves as a monthly meeting ground for this unstoppable volunteer group. It’s a creative hub where anyone can drop in, find connection, and take part, no sewing skills required.

Episode Credits

Host: Elise Wilson

Guests: Pat White, Kate Spratt, Theresa Wallace

Produced by: ArtsvilleUSA

Special Thanks: The Friends of the Enka-Candler Library, Buncombe County Public Libraries, and everyone who’s stuffed, stitched, or crocheted alongside this crew.

Subscribe to the ArtsvilleUSA Newsletter for more stories and updates on the arts and crafts scene in Western North Carolina.

Just a year ago, fall festivals were disappearing right and left from event calendars in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hurricane Helene may have thrown a wrench in Western North Carolina’s 2024 festival season, but 2025 is back and better than ever. This weekend marks the triumphant return of the LEAF Global Arts Festival for its 30th anniversary at Lake Eden in Black Mountain. Join host Elise Wilson and LEAF Marketing and Engagement Coordinator Natascha Van Aalst Leitner as they uncover how stories, songs, and dance connect Western North Carolina with the rest of the world—and why this year's theme, “Live Life Like a Festival,” is more relevant than ever.

Together, Elise and Natascha unpack:

• Why cultural preservation remains an integral part of LEAF’s mission after thirty years
• How LEAF's Artist ReLEAF Fund supports local artists affected by natural disasters
• How to Live Life Like a Festival: Pick up a copy of founder Jennifer Pickering’s new book, which celebrates 30 years of LEAF Global Arts.

How You Can Get Involved

• Purchase tickets for the 2025 LEAF Global Arts Festival, Oct. 16 - 19.
• Donate to LEAF's Artist ReLEAF Fund.
• Shop Live Life Like a Festival.
• Learn about global arts through LEAF’s Schools & Streets program.
• Become a member of LEAF.

About LEAF Global Arts

LEAF Global Arts is a non-profit organization that fosters community and cultural connections through world music, arts education, and global experiences. For nearly 30 years, it has worked to build relationships with communities, preserve cultural heritage, and provide arts education to thousands of youth, primarily through its festivals, the LEAF Retreat, and the Easel Rider Mobile Art Lab. Its mission is to connect cultures and create community through shared experiences with art, music, and dance.

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In the wake of natural disasters, art can serve as a lifeline for communities in urgent need of healing. Today, we’re chatting with the curators behind A Tale of Two Cities, a cross-cultural exhibition commemorating the anniversaries of hurricanes Helene in Asheville and Katrina in New Orleans. Our guests include Kenn Kotara, an artist based in Asheville; Jan Gilbert, an artist from New Orleans; and Andrew Rogers, the executive director of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art (NOAFA), where the exhibition will be held.

The discussion centers on the cultural impact and aftermath of both hurricanes on their respective cities. Each guest shares their experiences and insights regarding how art has played a critical role in recovery efforts. Ken Kotara reflects on the Asheville community’s resilience, highlighting how local artists have embraced collaboration and creativity to rebuild their cultural identity. Jan Gilbert adds to this narrative by discussing the unique challenges New Orleans artists face, emphasizing their commitment to using their work as a form of healing. Andrew Rogers emphasizes the importance of showcasing the interconnected stories of artists from both cities. He encourages listeners to engage with the arts and support local talent, underscoring the healing power of creativity in the aftermath of adversity.

Through a shared platform, A Tale of Two Cities invites artists to reflect on their experiences with climate-related disasters and engage the public in meaningful conversations about hope and recovery. The exhibition emphasizes the importance of protecting and representing vulnerable artists, affirming that art can catalyze healing in communities facing existential challenges. With both physical and virtual showcases, this exhibition aspires to inspire ongoing connections between the two cities, promoting cultural exchange and reinforcing the role of art in building resilient communities.

A Tale of Two Cities opens Sept. 13 and runs through Nov. 8, 2025, at NOAFA.

For more information, please visit https://www.artsvilleusa.com/a-tale-of-two-cities-curators-panel

Editor’s note: This episode was originally published in April 2024. We’re revisiting our conversation with Candace Reilly, founder and executive director of the North Carolina Glass Center, as part of our July 2025 coverage themed around the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. This episode is also part of our partnership with the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

North Carolina's crafts scene has long been celebrated, but its pivotal role in the history of America’s Studio Glass Movement often flies under the radar. Since Harvey Littleton's arrival in the late 1970s, Western North Carolina has flourished as a hub for glassmakers and enthusiasts alike. In today’s episode, we welcome Candace Reilly, executive director of Asheville's popular North Carolina Glass Center (NCGC), to discuss the contemporary studio glass scene in WNC.

With nearly a decade of commitment to Asheville's arts community, Candace offers valuable insights into her role. As the leader at NCGC, she drives initiatives aimed at preserving traditional techniques while advancing the future of studio glass. At the heart of her vision is the belief in the transformative power of integrated arts education, which promotes not only creative expression but also social cohesion within the community.

In our conversation, Candace discusses the NCGC's mission and impact, tracing its journey from humble beginnings to Asheville's leading public-access glass studio and gallery. She highlights North Carolina's rich connection to glass artistry, fueled by the state’s resources and landscape that support artistic innovation and collaboration. Candace details the center's educational offerings, including workshops and residencies that foster inclusivity and creativity.

Additionally, she shares news of the center's expansion to a second location in Black Mountain, reflecting its growth and the increased demand for glass experiences. Candace underscores the diverse revenue streams that support the center, inviting community involvement to sustain its mission. For those interested, she provides ways to engage with the center online and in person. This conversation on the Artsville Podcast offers insights into NCGC’s commitment to education and creativity, enriching Asheville’s cultural landscape.

For more information, please visit https://www.artsvilleusa.com/north-carolina-glass-center

Editor’s note: This episode was originally published in June 2024. We’re revisiting our conversation with Scott “Doc” Varn, founder and executive director of Preserving a Picturesque America, as part of our outdoor art-themed coverage in June 2025.

What’s more exciting than an epic treasure hunt, searching for America’s wild places? Today’s guest, Scott “Doc” Varn, is the founder and executive director of Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA). Based in Asheville, NC, this unique organization upholds the conservation work begun by Victorian artist-explorers, who documented America’s unspoiled natural beauty with prose and illustrations. Their expeditions paved the way for PAPA and its contemporary conservation efforts, which are equal parts adventure and art.

The idea for PAPA emerged when Doc, a woodcut and watercolor artist, stumbled across a popular 19th-century book of scenic engravings while searching for prints of his home in Western North Carolina. Edited by the famed Romantic poet William Cullen Bryant, Picturesque America features 900 wood engravings and 50 steel engravings, accompanied by colorful essays that describe the scenery. Initially serialized before being bound into two volumes, the bestselling book helped popularize tourism in America and sparked the country’s conservation movement following the Civil War. It also inspired Doc to found PAPA and discover the forgotten secrets of the county’s first travel guide.

Using maps and original illustrations from Picturesque America, Doc and his team of writers, historians, and artists hunt for the exact location of the book’s images. These spots are sometimes hard to find, but Doc uncovers clues by chatting with locals and absorbing regional history as he travels. Tracing Picturesque America’s footsteps, artists and writers working with PAPA document these rediscovered places with prose, sketches, and plein air paintings.

Watch the PBS episode on PAPA, The Land We Live In, to learn more about Doc and his expeditions through scenic America. The episode delves into Doc’s quest to find locations along the French Broad River, which flows through Tennessee and North Carolina, his home state. Doc uses the French Broad chapter of Picturesque America as a guide, supplementing his trek with word-of-mouth clues from residents and local historians. PAPA’s book, Rediscovering a Picturesque America, is their version of the original French Broad chapter, a modern retelling of the classic Victorian travelogue.

For more information, please visit https://www.artsvilleusa.com/preserving-a-picturesque-america

Editor’s note: This episode was originally published in April 2022. We’re revisiting our conversation with Sarah Wells Rolland, owner, founder, and resident potter of The Village Potters Clay Center, as part of our clay-themed coverage in May 2025.

In the face of adversity, creativity has a remarkable way of shining through. No one embodies this spirit more than Sarah Wells Rolland, owner and founder of The Village Potters Clay Center, which was once an iconic gallery in Asheville’s River Arts District.

After Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to their facilities, The Village Potters is navigating the challenging journey of recovery while looking forward to exciting new beginnings. They’re temporarily operating out of a warehouse as they prepare to open a brand new 18,000 sq. ft. facility this summer. In this episode, Sarah shares her inspiring story of resilience, detailing the critical support needed to rebuild, replace kilns, and transform their new space into a thriving hub for creativity and collaboration. Help The Village Potters cover the significant costs of rebuilding by making a tax-deductible donation through their new fiscal sponsor or visiting their GoFundMe campaign.

In today’s episode, Sarah reveals the path to becoming a professional ceramic artist, reflecting on her 30-year career and the challenges she’s encountered along the way. She discusses the founding of The Village Potters as a shared gallery and collective, emphasizing how its educational initiatives nurture the next generation of artists. Tune in to discover why the River Arts District is integral to their mission and how the local arts community has rallied together to support one another.

Sarah also shares her top recommendations for first-time visitors to Asheville, offering insights into the rich artistic landscape and the many ways to enjoy the local culture. From tips on expanding your ceramic collection to the best barbecue spots in town, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight. As The Village Potters solidify their future, you’ll learn how every donation—big or small—can make a significant impact in their recovery and growth.

For more information, please visit https://www.artsvilleusa.com/village-potters-clay-center

What do New Orleans and Western North Carolina have in common? Both regions were rocked by historic hurricanes, which left lasting impacts on their communities and environments. Today, host Louise Glickman explores the transformative role of art and creativity in community recovery, comparing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to the recovery efforts following recent storms in Western North Carolina.

Louise is joined by Jan Gilbert, an artist and activist who co-founded The VESTIGES Project, and DeWayne Barton, founder of Hood Huggers International in Asheville. The VESTIGES Project, established in 1984, is a collective of artists and writers inspired by New Orleans. For its members, the city represents more than just a location; it embodies a rich tapestry of culture composed of remnants, rituals, memories, and myths, blurring the lines between fiction and reality, past and present. Hood Huggers develops sustainable strategies to support historically African-American neighborhoods in Asheville, NC, focusing on community capacity building and creating spaces that mitigate trauma while enhancing existing services.

Don't miss this episode, and be sure to check out the links referenced in the conversation listed below for more information:

jan gilbertart.com

thebestigesproject.org

bluenotejunction.com

hoodhuggers.com

ArtsvilleUSA

NOT REAL ART

For more information, visit https://www.artsvilleusa.com/vestiges-project-hood-huggers