News & Events

"Green" Arts Organizations Featured in New Brochure Funded by Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

March 14, 2011

UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity & Design will unveil its new brochure Wednesday evening, highlighting the work of two WNC art organizations that are models of "green" and sustainable practices, Energy Xchange of Burnsville, and Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) in Dillsboro.

The brochure, which will be available at stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway and other area travel and tourism destinations, will describe the artistic work and environmental practices of the two groups. The pamphlet is funded with a $3500 grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, developing and celebrating the rich and unique natural and cultural heritage in the region.

The Center for Craft Creativity & Design will make its first brochure copies available at a panel discussion featuring artists from JCGEP and Energy Xchange, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at UNC Asheville's Owen Hall, 3rd floor conference room. The panel, moderated by Dee Eggers, associate professor of environmental studies at UNC Asheville, includes Dan Asher, executive director of EnergyXchange; Tim Muth, executive director of JCGEP; glass and metal artist Hayden Wilson, artist in residence at JCGEP; and potter William Baker, artist in residence at EnergyXchange.

Both groups are also featured in the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design's current exhibit, "WNC Models of Sustainability in Craft Making," on view through April 22. Artists featured from JCGEP are: Clayton Hufford (glass), Hayden Wilson (glass & metal), Julie Boisseau (mixed media) and Laurey Masterton (glass). Artists in residence featured from EnergyXchange are: Lisa Gluckin (clay), Joy Tanner (clay), Michael Hatch (glass), and William Baker (clay).

"We are proud to have received this grant to produce the brochure from the BRNHA Partnership, and prouder still to highlight the artistic and environmental achievements of these two pioneering groups in our region," said Stephanie Moore, director of UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, which produced the brochure. "Both Energy Xchange and JCGEP fuel their operations with methane wells from adjacent landfills, they have greenhouses, and work in partnership with local small businesses. The beauty of their craft work is complemented by creative business models and dedication to sustainability."

The mission of the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design is to advance the understanding of craft by encouraging and supporting research, scholarship and professional development. The Center is located 5 miles west of Hendersonville at 1181 Broyles Road adjacent to the UNC Asheville Kellogg Center. Gallery hours are noon- 5 p.m. weekdays. Visitors are invited to walk the Perry N. Rudnick one-mile nature and public art trail following a visit to the exhibition in the Craft Center galleries. For more information see www.craftcreativitydesign.org or call 828.890.2050.