Group exhibition honors Asheville’s culture and character
Spotting a black bear in Asheville? Pretty much a rite of passage. Contemporary pastel artist Elise Okrend has seen them everywhere — from her Black Mountain backyard to right outside her studio window in the River Arts District. One particularly close encounter in the woods by her town pool sparked a whole series of ursine paintings. “Every time I experience seeing bears, it reminds me that we share this place with these majestic creatures,” Okrend says. Her piece “Bear in the Woods” will be on view this fall as part of Celebrating Asheville, a group show at the Spotlight Gallery at Wedge Studios. Opening the first of November, the exhibition corrals more than 20 Wedge artists, each channeling a different nuance of the city’s ethos. “The show captures the city’s rich tapestry — its abundant wildlife and mountain landscapes, its diverse and soulful music scene, its tight-knit community, and even its beloved local craft-beer culture,” reads a press statement. “Together, the artists offer a vibrant portrait of life in this Appalachian gem.”
Celebrating Asheville: November 1-30; Reception: Saturday, Nov. 8, 5-7pm
Spotlight Gallery at Wedge Studios / 129 Roberts St., River Arts District, Asheville / wedgestudioartists.com