Ashe Magazine - Visitor & Business Guide - (Page 15)

THE ARTS ARE ALIVE Art has provided the link between the past and the future of Ashe County. Formed in 1978, the Ashe County Arts Council has played a vital role in the preservation of traditional arts and crafts and in the development of the thriving West Jefferson Arts District. Located in downtown West Jefferson, the building in which the Arts Council is housed is itself a destination. Built in 1938 as a WPA project, it is a beautiful stone structure befitting its purpose. A wide variety of talent is regularly displayed within its walls where pottery, fine art, photography, jewelry and much more can be viewed and purchased. The result of 30 years of dedication to the arts cannot be contained within the walls of one building, albeit a marvelous one. The buildings of downtown West Jefferson are themselves a palette upon which local artists share the history and heritage of the County. A mural of the Virginia Creeper Train, which connected Ashe County to the rest of the world during a time when transportation was limited, is among the many murals. other murals that adorn the historic buildings throughout downtown depict the musical heritage, colorful landscape and diverse culture of the region. A walk through town is, in itself, a visual delight. The numerous galleries dotting the streets of West Jefferson are filled with objects d’art to delight the serious collector as well as the casual viewer. on the second Friday of each month during summer and early fall, a festive atmosphere fills the streets as the galleries open their doors to the sidewalks and host the monthly gallery crawl. The artists mingle with crawlers, share their vision and graciously provide tempting treats. A visit to a small country church is a delight in itself but the experience is enhanced when that church also houses world famous frescos. Glendale Springs and West Jefferson are the locations of the Churches of the Frescoes. Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s are home to the first of Ben Long’s fresco work in the United States. The beauty of this art is truly enhanced by the sanctity of the settings. Ashe County is also home to a thriving Little Theater group. Planning your visit to take in one of the four shows produced each year is well worth the effort. Experience the talents of the year-round and seasonal residents while enjoying the comfort of the 300-seat Ashe Civic Center Auditorium. A relaxing drive through the county can turn into a treasure hunt as you seek to locate the barn quilts that adorn barns throughout the County. The quilt is a symbol of comfort and family and barns are a symbol of our heritage and community. What would be better than combining the two and creating a visual image of who we are and where we come from? The barn quilt project extends the downtown mural project into the rural parts of our county. A map can be obtained at the Ashe County Arts Council in West Jefferson. Whether strolling through the Arts District or seeking out the many public art displays, a visit to Ashe County is a visual delight enhanced by the natural beauty of the region. Where better to view the creativity of man, than the gallery of nature. www.AsheChamber.com 15 in Ashe County http://www.AsheCountyArts.org http://www.AsheCountyArts.org http://www.AsheCountyArts.org http://www.ashecountygov.com/History.htm http://www.AsheCountyArts.org http://www.visitnc.com/about_nc_detail.asp?r=1&articleid=490 http://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/NC/Ashe/Glendale-Springs.cfm http://www.VisitWestJefferson.org http://www.AsheCountyArts.org http://www.ashecivic.com/ http://www.ashecountyarts.org/BarnQuilt.htm http://www.ashecountyarts.org/BarnQuilt.htm http://www.AsheChamber.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Ashe Magazine - Visitor & Business Guide

Ashe Magazine - Visitor & Business Guide Contents Chamber Welcome Helpful Numbers County Manager Welcome Ashe Facts & Figures Arts in Ashe County Music in Ashe County Calendar of Events Autumn Leaves History of Ashe County Playful Pastimes Just Down the Road Accommodations Shopping Restaurants Blue Ways Ashe County Map By Ways Agriculture HomePlaces in Ashe County Home Building Guide Buying & Selling Real Estate Small Business of the Year Business in Ashe County Businesses by Category Businesses by Alpha

Ashe Magazine - Visitor & Business Guide

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