Meet the Art League

In the diverse ecosystem of Henderson County's art scene, the Art League of Henderson County carves out its niche with a singular focus on visual arts. Established in 1972, the Art League aims to enrich our community through immersive art exhibits, public art projects, and workshops tailored specifically to visual artists and enthusiasts. This specialization contrasts sharply with the Arts Council of Henderson County, which champions a broader spectrum of the arts including music, dance, theater, and literary arts, striving to foster a more inclusive and varied artistic community.
As we navigate the distinct roles each arts organization plays within Henderson County, the Art League of Henderson County emerges with a dedicated mission to the visual arts. This focus enriches our local cultural tapestry in a manner distinct from the broader artistic support provided by the Arts Council of Henderson County, which includes funding and advocacy across all art forms. Despite our differing scopes, it's important to acknowledge how our support helps sustain their visual arts initiatives. Here’s an Q&A with the Art League, underscoring their specialized contributions to our community’s visual arts landscape.
What is the story behind the founding of your organization, and what inspired you, the leader, to focus on the art that you do?
Established in 1972, our programs have included fine art exhibits, public art projects,
and workshops. Recent growth created a surge of interest in our programs and new
leadership signaled a promising future. Facing the Pandemic, we waived revenue
producing membership dues and halted our search for a permanent space. Workshops,
the ArtScape Public Art Project, and Open Studio Tour were placed on hold. During that
time, we developed a comprehensive plan for re-engagement, stabilization, and growth.
In 2022 we implemented that plan, streamlining our operations. The return of the Open
Studio Tour and ArtScape Banner Program marked a turning point. Community exhibits
and a robust workshop schedule contributed to an extraordinary 400% growth in
membership. In September 2022, a significant milestone was achieved with a building
lease. This new building houses an art gallery and workshop facility, becoming the heart
of our community’s visual arts experience. Our momentum continued into 2023, as we
secured a lease for the adjacent 4500 sq ft building. This additional space
accommodates 23 working artist studios and a versatile workshop/event area and a
new, fully equipped, community ceramic studio
 
Can you describe your organizations core mission and the impact you aim to have in the community?
The Art League of Henderson County is dedicated to enriching our community through
the visual arts. Our mission is to make art accessible to all, fostering cultural
enrichment, a sense of identity, and local pride. We believe in the transformative power
of the arts to positively impact our community’s economic vitality. Through our facilities,
we provide spaces where individuals can connect, exchange ideas, and form
meaningful social bonds. Looking ahead, our vision is to expand our outreach to new
and underserved segments of our community through enhanced programs and strategic
partnerships. Together, we aim to create a more vibrant and inclusive artistic landscape
 
What are some of the key programs or activities that your organization offers, and how do they support local artists or engage the community?
With a thriving membership, The Art League has expanded to meet the needs of our growing community. Our Art Place building sets the stage for a diverse array of fine art exhibits, special events, and learning opportunities. At the Gallery at Art Place visitors can immerse themselves in monthly exhibits of beautifully curated 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works. unveiled on the first Saturday of each month with an opening reception where visitors can meet the artists and celebrate the magic of creativity.

• The Art Place Studios, an adjacent facility, houses working artist studios, including the Glassman Clay Studio, offering classes and workshops in a wide variety of media and clay. The studios house over 20 artist studios representing various artistic mediums. Visitors can see artists working in their studio and learn about their process and inspiration.
• Glassman Clay Studio - Located in Art Place Studios, the Glassman Clay Studio opened in March of 2024 and offers wheel and hand-building classes, workshops, clay firings and studio services with cutting-edge ceramic equipment. Classes and workshops are open to the public where they can explore the clay medium, try pottery throwing, and enjoy regular classes, demonstrations, and open studio/firing times.
• ArtScape Banner Program - The Art League’s ArtScape Banner Program is a public art project featuring over 60 banners each showcasing local adult artists in Hendersonville’s Historic downtown and Henderson County Youth artists in Jackson Park. Each spring new ArtScape banners are revealed, and an exhibit of the artwork used to create the Adult banners is on display at the Gallery at Art Place.
• Celebrate Art! Regional Juried Show - Launched in 2023, the annual juried art exhibit showcases outstanding works of art from artists across North Carolina and the surrounding states. Patron-sponsored awards and a Judge’s Talk make this exhibition and competition a highlight of the Art League’s artistic calendar.
  
• Fall for Art – Open Studio Tour - Locals and visitors embark on a journey into the artist’s world during the annual Fall for Art Open Studio Tour when local artists open their studios, offering insights into their inspiration and techniques. Art in the Community - Ongoing exhibits at the Henderson County Main Library and the annual exhibit at Grace Mills River bring local art to unexpected public spaces.
  
• The Fabulous Fakes Exhibit showcases art from member artists who choose familiar works as inspiration and create their own tweaked “fake.” The “fakes” are exhibited at the Art Place and other galleries around town. 
  
• La Vie en Rosè - The art community’s collaboration with Marked Tree Vineyard in Flat Rock for the La Vie en Rose’ annual Arts and Music Festival brings a “Gala” tented fine art exhibit every spring features a day dedicated to the Art League.
  
• Volunteer Opportunities and Participate in Special Events - Art League members enjoy enriching experiences like museum visits, studio tours, and out-of-town festivals through field trip programs. Monthly Art for Lunch programs provide insight into art-related topics, art demonstrations, and the business of being an artist.

The Art League is a volunteer-led organization run by artists and art enthusiasts. The organization welcomes all to participate and volunteers in contributing to their mission of enriching lives through art.
 
How does the community participate in your initiatives? Are there opportunities for volunteers or local artists to get involved?
 
Our members and participants in our programs consist of residents of Hendersonville
and the WNC region and are representative of our community BIPOC demographic. Our
community also has a vibrant tourist economy. Visitors often consider the availability of
arts activities when planning their visits. Our visitors represent a broad BIPOC
demographic. Our focus has been on programs that attract and service membership
growth with the goal of developing a sustainable revenue stream. Going forward, our
goal is to expand our reach to underserved and diverse segments of our community. As
mentioned earlier we have initiated collaborative planning with targeted organizations.
Those will be included in the collaboration area of this application.
 
What have been some of the biggest challenges your organization has faced, and how have you overcome them?
Our biggest challenge was to grow our membership following the Pandemic and to find
a physical home where artists and the community could learn and collaborate. We now
have achieved those goals. It’ important to note that all these achievements were
made possible through the dedication of volunteers, a part-time bookkeeper, and an
intern. Though we remain committed to fostering creativity, community engagement,
and the love of visual arts for our community, to continue our growth and expand our
outreach, our primary goal is to fund an Executive Director.
 
Could you share a memorable success story or a particularly impactful project that your organization has undertaken?
The opening of the Glassman Clay Studio a year earlier than we thought possible has
been one of our most recent successes. Generous grants from the NC Arts Council,
the Arts County of Henderson County, the Community Foundation, Henderson County
Travel Development Authority, and numerous private donors enabled us to officially
open in March 2024.
 
Looking ahead, what are some of the goals or projects your organization hopes to achieve in the near future?
Our future goals are to obtain financial sustainability and extend our outreach to new
segments of the community. Though we remain committed to fostering creativity,
community engagement, and the love of visual arts for our community, to continue our
growth and expand our outreach, our primary goal is to fund an Executive Director.
 
How can members of the community support your efforts? Are there specific ways people can contribute or become involved?
In addition to our existing collaboration with our Tourism Authority, arts organizations,
and galleries to promote Hendersonville as an arts destination, our existing and future
outreach initiatives include: Henderson County Schools - A Dominion Energy grant
expanded Art Scape Youth Banner program. We are hosting off-site development days
and clay studio access for art teachers. WNC Source -. We have hosted one event and
will work to introduce new outreach programs. Thrive – We have hosted tours and
discussed joint grant opportunities and ongoing projects. Veterans Healing Farm – We
already have artist members providing workshops and will apply for a joint grant for
additional services. STEAP - We will be collaborating to develop storytelling workshops,
and intergenerational art projects. Seniors: Lake Pointe Assisted Living, an ArtScape
Banner Program sponsor, served as a model for us to host senior group tours of the
gallery and studios. We plan to expand this model to include storytelling workshops and
intergenerational art projects.
We recognize our need to continue to expand our reach. Our existing and future initiatives include expanding opportunities through
existing and established partnerships and new relationships.
 
What does support from the community mean to your organization, and how does it shape your future initiatives?
There is much evidence that people with access to arts and culture are more deeply
attached to their communities. The financial support of the community underscores their
recognition of the need for and support of our initiatives. Our rapid growth has
introduced challenges which now need to be addressed to position us for expansion to
broader segments of our community as a sustainable service provider.