Honor The French Broad At this Local Art Exhibition & Sale

Preservation Through Art – The French Broad

Preserving A Picturesque America (PAPA) will hold its annual Fall art sale and exhibition — “Preservation Through Art — The French Broad” — from Sept. 16 through Oct. 27 in the Cloud Room at the Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy Street, Asheville. Located in the iconic River Arts District, the Wedge at Foundation is the home of the Wedge Brewery.

Many local artists have contributed art works in a variety of mediums, depicting scenes along the French Broad River from the original 1870s publication “Picturesque America.” You’ll see exciting, new works by some of our region’s finest artists, including Mark Henry, Bryan Koontz, Deborah Squier. By revealing how these natural landscapes appear today, these artists hope to motivate us to protect these iconic vistas.

This art sale and exhibition is PAPA’s major fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale of artwork will not only support PAPA with its ongoing mission but will also contribute to the conservation efforts of such organizations as Riverlink, Asheville Greenworks, MountainTrue, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Friends of Pisgah National Forest, and Friends of Chimney Rock State Park.

Artist Receptions & Q&As

Since local artists submitted more than 90 entries, the entries were divided into three separate collections that will be shown at the Wedge in rotation, as follows:

• Sept. 16 – 29 (Collection 1): Featuring Chimney Rock, Lovers Leap in Hot Springs, Scenes on the French Broad, Pisgah View from Biltmore
• Sept. 30 – Oct. 13 (Collection 2):  Featuring The Smoky Mountains, Farm on the French Broad, Paint Rock, Long View of Lovers Leap, Ferry Site on the French Broad, Portrait of Harry Fenn
• Oct. 14 – 27 (Collection 3):  Featuring Mountain Island, The French Broad, Old Mill at Reems Creek, Team on the French Broad

The works on display will differ during each two-week period, so be sure to check out each rotation. While you are at the Wedge, you might also want to take in the “Footsteps & Brushstrokes Tour,” a complementary exhibit upstairs at the Wedge at Foundation. Footsteps and Brushstrokes features sketches made by Scott Varn and Mike Wurman, along with photographs of them as they retraced the footsteps and brushstrokes of the 1870s artist Harry Fenn. This exhibit will be available for viewing seven days a week, during regular Wedge business hours.

Important Note: If you are unable to attend one of PAPA’s scheduled events – any of the three receptions or the Meet the Adventure Artists Q&A, be sure to call the organization at 828-628-0006 or 828-273-5383 to check viewing availability. While the Wedge at Foundation is open seven days a week, it also hosts private events at the same venue. This occasionally might necessitate temporarily closing access to the art show when a private event is in progress. So call first to avoid disappointment. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the artwork and/or purchase a piece in support of PAPA’s conservation efforts.

Fall Gala, Live Auction

In mid-November, PAPA will be hosting its Fall Gala and Live Auction – the date and venue will be announced soon. This $50, ticketed event, will focus on 14 jury-selected pieces that are in the PAPA’s new publication of “Revisiting A Picturesque America:  Along the French Broad.” Participants will enjoy live entertainment, light fare, and beverages.

Proceeds from this event will support PAPA and its ongoing mission, as well as organizations such as Riverlink, Asheville Greenworks, MountainTrue, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Friends of Pisgah National Forest, and Friends of Chimney Rock State Park to help with their protection efforts of places along the French Broad River and the health of the river itself.

Please come to the Sale/Exhibition and/or the Fall Gala and Live Auction. Support the generous artists who have given their time and talents to protect special places along the river that meanders through the beautiful mountains we call home. Also, please support the Wedge Brewery for having generously provided PAPA with such an outstanding exhibit space.

For more information about Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA), visit them on the web at Preserving a Picturesque America (preservationthroughart.org).