Autumn in the Western North Carolina Mountains finds thousands of visitors traveling to the region to observe its amazing fall foliage. What better time is there to celebrate art by bringing artists from far & wide to Historic Downtown Hendersonville to share their stories and art with the community?

Winter Red Holly
by Artist Harry Jarman. Artwork utilized for advertising for Art on Main, 2010.

Fall Forest, by artist Ben Freeman. Artwork utilized for advertising for Art on Main, 2009.

Since 2004 Art on Main has been produced by The Arts Council, which introduced several changes. The media parameters have been expanded to include fine art and fine craft. Artists apply and are juried for quality in their body of work and professionalism in their presentation. In 2008 the festival drew 70 talented exhibitors who shared their art with the community.

Farm on Miller Road, by artist Ed Fadool. Artwork utilized for advertising for Art on Main, 2008.

Art on Main is a celebration of the arts and culture in Henderson County . The developing vision for Art on Main is to embrace all of the arts (two & three dimensions, music, storytelling, and other performances) in order to draw a larger segment of the community downtown – to involve, expose and educate them to the many facets of art – while maintaining a high quality.

The inclusion of several Southern Highland Craft members augments the show with their excellence and unique flavors. Guild member participants have included Susan Barrett (clay), Paula Marksbury (fused glass), and Jim McGie (wood), and many others. "The Art on Main Committee is very pleased to have these artists participating in the show" says Kim Adams, Co-Chair. "The fact they are Guild members means their work has already been deemed exceptional in craftsmanship and design."  

2011 Art on Main Judges

Robert Dunning is chairman of the art department at UNC in Asheville. He has a BFA in drawing and painting and an MFA in printmaking from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dunning taught printmaking at Indiana and later joined the University of  North Carolina, Asheville. His work has been in numerous group and solo exhibitions. In October 2011,his innovative designs will be on exhibition at the Blue Spiral Gallery in Asheville.

Wyndy Morehead comes to us from New Orleans, LA, where she was owner and director of the Wyndy Morehead Gallery on Magazine Street. Following her 18 year career in New Orleans, we are fortunate that Morehead chose to move to North Carolina where she is presently Director of the Upstairs Art Space in Tryon, NC.

Dr. Deborah L. Wilson has taught in Georgia schools and universities for more than 30 years. She has earned the B.S.Ed. ,M.A.Ed., Ed.D.  in art education from the University of Georgia in Athens. Dr. Wilson is a National Board Certified teacher and was an elementary support teacher in her district where she mentored beginning teachers, assisted with implementation of the curriculum and planned and presented workshops.

2011 Featured Artist - Angela Van Every Johnston

You may find out more about
Angela at her website

Wickwire fine art / folk art gallery also presented Glenn Mace, a woodturning artist, with a $100 award in honor of American Craft Week.

Appreciation
Thank you to the following businesses for helping to make Art on Main welcoming to our artists:

Atlanta Bread Company, Champa Sushi & Thai Cuisine, Hannah Flanagan's Pub & Eatery, Harris Teeter, Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, Ingles, Krispy Kreme Donut Company, Living Room Coffeehouse & Cafe, Mean Mr. Mustard's Cafe,Mountain Deli, Mrs. G and Me-An American Bistro, Square One Bistro, The Fresh Market, Three Chopt Sandwich Shoppe