Just in Time for the Weekend

Our magazine, as do most monthly publications, works pretty far out in advance, which means that I know what’s happening in January and February, but events going on now are nearly forgotten. Oddly enough, I often refer back to old issues to find out what’s currently going on around the region. Another downside to working so far in advance is that we sometimes miss covering things because we didn’t hear about them in time. Which is why I’m excited about hosting the new arts blog for WNC magazine. I’ll be bringing you news about upcoming art exhibits, concerts, theater performances, and other arts-related happenings. To get started, here are two regional events happening this weekend that I’m particularly excited about.

River Arts District Studio Stroll (www.riverdistrictartists.com)
November 14 & 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Asheville
Twice a year (June and November), more than 100 artists in the River Arts District open their studios to the public. It’s a great opportunity to meet some of Asheville’s top-notch artists in person and find good deals on artwork. For me, it’s source material for artist profiles and arts news.

One exhibit I’m particularly interested in seeing this weekend is a group showing at the Seven-Star Factory (www.sevenstarfactory.com) at Riverview Station. The show hosts seven potters, painters, and multimedia artists. I’ve always been a fan of Mike Reardon’s (www.mikereardon.net) encaustic paintings and am excited to see Gary Pisano’s latest work—oxidized copper etchings and smoke drawings! I’m very intrigued. Another new artist whose work has piqued my interest is time-lapse photographer Spencer Black (www.channeltapped.com). His videos are colorful and mesmerizing.

Fly Girls of World War II exhibition
November 4-17
Hendersonville
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a World War II program that, between 1942 and ’44, created a task force of what were the first women in history to fly American military aircraft. They risked their lives flying fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft. It’s impressive, but what’s more shocking is that it took more than 30 years for the government to recognize their service. They weren’t considered military, no Gold Stars were given to families of the fallen, and no American flags were allowed on their coffins. And one of these pioneer aviators, Dorothy Post Hoover, lives in Henderson County.

Until November 17 (the show opened November 4), the Henderson County Heritage Museum (www.hendersoncountymuseum.org) is hosting a traveling exhibit that, through photos and text, tells the story of these women. It’s located in the back lobby of the Historic Courthouse in Hendersonville. And from 2-4 p.m. on November 14 at the Henderson County Public Library, retired National Geographic photographer Tom Nebbia will show a DVD he produced about the WASP fly girls.

It’s such a cool piece of American history that’s just gaining well-deserved recognition.