Center for Craft 25th anniversary logo in red

Current Exhibition

UPcoming Exhibition

past Exhibition

On View 

Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible

The Center for Craft is excited to present a solo exhibition of patchwork textiles and inflatable sculptures by the Ohio-based fiber artist. Adrian’s volumetric, pneumatic work transports viewers into artifice, desire, and worldbuilding. Drawing from rich legacies of queer fiber art & theory, the exhibition features monumentally scaled works that physically respond to viewers presence by filling with air.

You can still sponsor RIPSTOP by contributing before July 12, 2024. Donate today for your opportunity to be recognized during the opening reception on August 15, 2024, and on the exhibition's Title Wall. To underwrite this exhibition, please donate now.

Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible

SPONSOR

On view

Sep

6

Jan

7

Through

Sep

6

Jan

7

When

Sep 6, 2021

Jan 7, 2022

three images of works from Black in Black on Black Exhibition at the Center for Craft

Photo credit:

(Left) "He," Ann Miller Woodford, 2020, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 inches. (Center) "Missing Mama," Viola Spells, 2004, 10 x 12 inches. (Right) "Purel," Ronda Birtha, 2008, digital photograph.

Current Exhibition

UPcoming Exhibition

past Exhibition

On View 

Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible

On view

Sep

6

Jan

7

Through

Sep

6

Jan

7

When

Sep 6, 2021

Jan 7, 2022

three images of works from Black in Black on Black Exhibition at the Center for Craft

Photo credit:

(Left) "He," Ann Miller Woodford, 2020, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 inches. (Center) "Missing Mama," Viola Spells, 2004, 10 x 12 inches. (Right) "Purel," Ronda Birtha, 2008, digital photograph.

Current Exhibition

UPcoming Exhibition

past Exhibition

On View 

Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible

On view

Sep

6

Jan

7

Through

Sep

6

Jan

7

When

Sep 6, 2021

Jan 7, 2022

three images of works from Black in Black on Black Exhibition at the Center for Craft

Photo credit:

(Left) "He," Ann Miller Woodford, 2020, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 inches. (Center) "Missing Mama," Viola Spells, 2004, 10 x 12 inches. (Right) "Purel," Ronda Birtha, 2008, digital photograph.

FRONT & CENTER

Front & center

Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible is an exhibition about the lives and contributions of Black/African American communities in Western North Carolina (WNC). Presenting works of art alongside oral histories and research data, Black in Black on Black is a visual conversation about an often invisible history of our region. This exhibition features three WNC-based artists: Ann Miller Woodford, Viola Spells, and Ronda Birtha, as well as data from the Heart of Health: Race, Place, and Faith in Western North Carolina project, a three-year community-participatory research study that seeks to better understand the role and impact of race and racism on health.

The Heart of Health project is co-led by researchers and community partners. In WNC, the percentage of the population that is Black/African American ranges from 0.2% to 10% at the county level, and is about 4% overall. As Ann Miller Woodford states, “My emphasis has been on people who have dedicated their lives to humanity, but have been overlooked, ignored, and often forgotten.” Visitors to the exhibition are invited to learn, through both visual art and scientific data, about the ways in which African Americans and others in WNC are working to reduce racism and build community through grassroots and organizational efforts.

Organized by UNC Asheville’s Center for Craft Partner Gallery Faculty Advisory Committee: Suzanne Dittenber, Assistant Professor of Art; Lei Han, Professor of New Media; Jackson Martin Associate Professor of Art; Jonathan King Assistant Professor of Music; Dr. Leah Mathews, Professor of Economics; Lise Kloeppel, Associate Professor of Drama; Dr. Leisa Rundquist, Professor of Art History and University Curator; Brent Skidmore Associate Professor of Art and Public Arts & Humanities Chair

Acknowledgements

UNCA Undergraduate Researchers: Kate Adams, Desire Brown, Kailey Hackett, Dasia Jefferson, Amanda Morgan, Avery Parker, Miranda Poe, Khadiya Ross, Caitlin Tricomi, and William Walden.  

Heart of Health Community Advisory Board: Brenda Blount, Dawn Colbert, Pastor Spencer Hardaway, Kimberly Hunter, Camden Johnson, Nicola Karesh, Pastor Charles Lee, Elder Euriel Turner, Ann Miller Woodford, Dr. Brandi Hinnant-Crawford, and Dr. Dana Patterson.

How To View

Opening Reception

Friday, Sep 10, 2021, 6-8 pm ET

Join us from 6-8 pm on Friday, September 10th for the opening reception of Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible. To encourage social distancing, the Center will be registering a limited number of attendees in 30 minute time slots. This event is free and open to all!

REGISTER NOW →

Virtual Tour & Discussion

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021, 6-8 pm ET

Join Black in Black on Black curators, Ameena Batada, Dr.P.H., Professor of Health & Wellness, UNC Asheville; JéWana Grier McEachin, Executive Director of the Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement (ABIPA); and Jill Fromewick, Sc.D., Executive Director of Sparrow Research Group will be joined by the exhibition's featured artists, Ann Miller Woodford, Viola Spells, and Ronda Birtha, for a virtual tour of the exhibition followed by a panel discussion.

REGISTER NOW →

In-Person

The Center is offering free, unguided visits and affordable tours of its exhibitions to the public. Guests can reserve a 30-minute visit to explore the current exhibitions, learn more about the Center’s national impact in their Craft Research Fund Study Collection, and enjoy interactive activities. The Center is open to the public Monday-Friday, 10 am - 6 pm. Hours of operation may be subject to change.

Center for Craft is monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the community and following the instruction of federal, state, and local health departments. Our top priority is always the health and safety of our staff, coworkers, and visitors. At this time, the Center can only allow a maximum of five guests in its public space at once and will require the use of masks or face coverings by all visitors, including children. The Center reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor that will not comply.

REGISTER NOW →



SUPPORT

No items found.
No items found.

OPENING RECEPTION

,

,

Where

Center for Craft, John Cram Partner Gallery

67 Broadway St., Asheville, NC 28801

ARTISTS

Ronda Birtha

Viola Spells

Ann Miller Woodford

CURATed By

Ameena Batada, Dr.P.H., Professor of Health & Wellness, UNC Asheville

JéWana Grier McEachin, Executive Director of the Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement (ABIPA) and Member of the Asheville Chapter of the Links Incorporated

Jill Fromewick, Sc.D., Executive Director of Sparrow Research Group

Dawn Colbert, Heart of Health Regional Research Coordinator

Dorothy Clark, Heart of Health Project Coordinator



ORGANIZED BY


Exhibition management BY

Installation by

Brent Skidmore, Jackson Martin, and Dylan Mintz

Exhibition design

Edited by

Creative Direction, Branding, and Design

Reggie Tidwell

Additional Graphic Design by Kristi Pfeffer

Graphic Design by

Photography by

exhibition events

The events for this exhibition have passed. See our full calendar for upcoming events.

Meet the artists

ᏚᏍᏓᏯᎫᎾᏱ Gabriel Crow

Cherokee, NC

Faye Junaluska

Cherokee, NC

Lucille Lossiah

Ramon Lose

Cullowhee, NC

ᏯᏗ ᎺᏂ Betty Maney

Cherokee, NC

ᏗᎳᏂ Dylan Morgan

Cherokee, NC

ᎺᎵ ᏔᎻᏏᏂ Mary W. Thompson

ᏎᎳᏂ ᏔᎻᏏᏂ Sarah Thompson

Patricia Welch

Field Building

CRAFT RESEARCH TALK

View the catalog

View the catalog

View the catalog

About RIPSTOP

The Center for Craft is excited to present a solo exhibition of patchwork textiles and inflatable sculptures by the Ohio-based fiber artist. Adrian’s volumetric, pneumatic work transports viewers into artifice, desire, and worldbuilding. Drawing from rich legacies of queer fiber art & theory, the exhibition features monumentally scaled works that physically respond to viewers presence by filling with air.

You can still sponsor RIPSTOP by contributing before July 12, 2024. Donate today for your opportunity to be recognized during the opening reception on July 26, 2024, and on the exhibition's Title Wall. To underwrite this exhibition, please donate now.

about the artists

Photo credit: Jamie Hopper

Photo credit: Jamie Hopper

Photo credit: Jamie Hopper

about the curator

No items found.

exhibition Images

exhibition Images

Curatorial

The 2023 Curatorial Fellowship is supported, in part, by the Stoney Lamar Craft Endowment Fund.

Thank you to Phillips, the leading auction house in art and design, for sponsoring the Curatorial Fellowship show.

Thank

you to the

Virginia A. Groot Foundation

and

Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation

for

makng these residencies possible.

The 2023 Curatorial Fellowship is supported, in part, by the Stoney Lamar Craft Endowment Fund.

Thank you to Phillips, the leading auction house in art and design, for sponsoring the Curatorial Fellowship show.

RIPSTOP is supported, in part, by Arrowmont School of Arts and Craft.

The

Center

for

Craft

is

supported

in

part

by

the

,

a

division

of

the

Department

of

Natural

and

Cultural

Resources.

2023

Curatorial

Fellow

This exhibition was supported, in part, by the John W. and Anna H. Hanes Foundation,

and Buncombe County Government.

The 2023 Curatorial Fellowship is supported, in part, by the Stoney Lamar Craft Endowment Fund.

Thank you to Phillips, the leading auction house in art and design, for sponsoring the Curatorial Fellowship show.

The

Center

for

Craft

is

supported

in

part

by

the

,

a

division

of

the

Department

of

Natural

and

Cultural

Resources.

2023

Curatorial

Fellow

A special thanks to

and the

for sponsoring Handwork and Hope.

The 2023 Curatorial Fellowship is supported, in part, by the Stoney Lamar Craft Endowment Fund.

Thank you to Phillips, the leading auction house in art and design, for sponsoring the Curatorial Fellowship show.

The

Center

for

Craft

is

supported

in

part

by

the

,

a

division

of

the

Department

of

Natural

and

Cultural

Resources.

The 2023 Curatorial Fellowship is supported, in part, by the Stoney Lamar Craft Endowment Fund.

Thank you to Phillips, the leading auction house in art and design, for sponsoring the Curatorial Fellowship show.

Preservers, Innovators, and Rescuers of Culture in Chiapas is supported, in part by,

The Center for Craft is supported, in part, by the

Aram Han Sifuentes is a recipient of the Center for Craft’s 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship. This substantial mid-career grant is awarded to two artists to support research projects that advance, expand, and support the creation of new research and knowledge through craft practice.

This

exhibition

is

supported

in

part

by

the

the

and

For a full listing of the generous funders supporting the Center for Craft and our programming visit centerforcraft.org/support

This

exhibition

is

supported

in

part

by

the

the

and

the

a

division

of

the

Department

of

Natural

and

Cultural

Resources.

For a full listing of the generous funders supporting the Center for Craft and our programming visit centerforcraft.org/support

The

Center

for

Craft’s

John

Cram

Partner

Gallery

presented

in

collaboration

with

UNC Asheville transforms lives through leadership and education. The designated liberal arts and sciences institution for the UNC System and one of the nation’s top 10 public liberal arts universities, UNC Asheville enrolls 3,600 students and offers more than 30 undergraduate majors and a Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. UNC Asheville also encourages students to take part in a nationally acclaimed undergraduate research program and participate in interdisciplinary learning. From internships and hands-on projects, to study abroad and community engagement, students experience an education that extends beyond campus into the vibrant City of Asheville, the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and the world.

and

Warren Wilson College logo

A liberal arts college grounded in social responsibility, where hard work and community are more than just words.

.

This

exhibition

is

supported

in

part

by

the

the

and

For a full listing of the generous funders supporting the Center for Craft and our programming visit centerforcraft.org/support

More On View

Max Adrian, “A Fallible Complex,” 2021. Nylon, ripstop, blower, motion sensor. 92 x 136 x 76 inches.

Exhibition

Max Adrian: RIPSTOP

Through

Jul

26

Mar

29

Learn More

Exhibition

Connections in the Making

Through

Nov

17

Oct

31

Learn More