March 2025 Round-up: Our Debut Exhibition, Craft Store Faves, Plus Pioneering Women in Textiles
This month, we kicked things off with a bang by launching ‘Reawakening,’ an exhibition featuring talented women textile artists from Western North Carolina.
Happy National Craft Month! What better excuse to revel in the incredible work produced by local artists? This month, we kicked things off with a bang by launching Reawakening: Craft Artists of Western North Carolina, a virtual and physical exhibition showcasing nature-inspired works by regional artists. Our inaugural craft exhibition highlights talented women textile artists from our area and will run through the end of May at the Ferguson Family YMCA in Candler. Trust me, you won't want to miss it! If you can't make it to the exhibition in person, you can still view the online version of Reawakening by scrolling through the rest of this newsletter.
March isn't just about craft; it's also Women's History Month—a time to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made in the art world and beyond. This month, we're spotlighting the voices of women textile artists who are redefining the landscape of modern craft. Be sure to check out our interview with Deb Herman, a talented fiber artist from Weaverville who is featured in Reawakening. She shares her insights and experiences, focusing on how her work reflects the seasonal cycles in Western North Carolina.
As we wrap up National Craft Month and Women's History Month, let's continue to uplift and support our local artisans. Your generous donations make a significant difference, helping us showcase unique voices and bring exciting exhibitions to life. If you believe in the magic of craft and want to help us weave a brighter future for all our artists, please consider making a tax-deductible donation, subscribing to a paid membership, or following us on Instagram for more craft-related stories.
Finally, we encourage you to share this newsletter with the women in your life who love art. Your support enriches our community and fosters a future where creativity and diversity can thrive.
Reawakening: Craft Artists of Western North Carolina
To celebrate National Craft Month and the pending arrival of spring, ArtsvilleUSA presents Reawakening: Craft Artists of Western North Carolina, a virtual exhibition featuring nature-based works in ceramics, glass, jewelry, textiles, and paper. Created in partnership with our sister organization and West Coast affiliate, NOT REAL ART, as part of their First Friday Exhibitions series, Reawakening aims to highlight artists in a region transformed by Hurricane Helene during a time of resilience, recovery, and renewal.
Explore Reawakening: Craft Artists of Western North Carolina here.
Reawakening: An Exhibition Statement From Curator Morgan Laurens
Five months ago, over a foot of rainfall barrelled down the mountains of Western North Carolina, liquifying the slopes, flattening homes, and sweeping cars away in the current. Residents sought refuge on their rooftops or evacuated the area, returning to find their homes destroyed and their neighbors mourning the loss of everything they owned.
As we experience disconnection from the land and navigate the complex realities of a changed world, we need time and ritual to grieve these losses. We also need to love and nurture whatever emerges in their place, to accept that destruction inevitably awaits on the other side of creation: A pencil is worn down as a drawing emerges. Paper is sliced, cut apart, and pieced back together. A spool of thread winds down as stitches join together. We use our hands with the hope that our labor and perseverance will result in growth, rejuvenation, and the reawakening of the world around us.
Read the curator’s statement for Reawakening here.
Jo-Ann’s is Closing. Here Are 6 Alternatives for Crafters in Western North Carolina
After eight decades of serving craft enthusiasts, beloved retailer Joann is closing its doors for good. The company, which operates roughly 800 locations across 49 states in the U.S., is undergoing a complete shutdown.
In North Carolina, the impact of this closure will be keenly felt, as the state is home to 16 Joann stores, with four situated in the crafting enclave of Western North Carolina. Cities such as Hickory, Morganton, Asheville, and Henderson will soon bid farewell to their local shops, signaling the end of an era for the legacy retailer.
As we say goodbye to Joann, crafters in Western North Carolina can explore local alternatives beyond the big-box stores. In this feature, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite craft stores across the region; now is the perfect time to discover these independent, family-owned gems.
Discover our favorite craft stores in Western North Carolina here.
Stitching Seasons: How Fiber Artist Deb Herman Captures the Cycles of Life in Western North Carolina
When Deb Herman walks through the woods of Western North Carolina, she isn’t just enjoying a scenic hike. The Weaverville fiber artist, bookbinder, and former educator is collecting ideas for the plant-inspired textiles she creates in her methodically organized studio.
“Observing the landscape keeps me informed and producing,” Deb shares, recalling a transformative period of solitude spent in a cabin in the Western North Carolina mountains. “It was an interesting seven weeks that both inspired and stretched me on many levels. The walks in the woods provided endless inspiration, and I had uninterrupted time to execute new works. It’s easy for me to work all day in my home studio, but I make it a priority to try to get into the woods as much as possible.”
Learn more about Deb Herman here.
News + Notes
Here’s where we share quick craft bites for busy hands and hungry minds.
Events + Exhibitions
- Reawakening: Fiber Artists of WNC: To celebrate National Craft Month and the pending arrival of spring, ArtsvilleUSA presents Reawakening: Fiber Artists of Western North Carolina, a spring exhibition created in collaboration with our sister organization and West Coast affiliate, NOT REAL ART. Reawakening runs through May 31 at the Ferguson Family YMCA and features work by Deb Herman, Kathie Briggs, and Ashton Zager (pictured).
- Reawakening: Craft Artists of WNC: The virtual component of our March craft exhibition opens March 3 on ArtsvilleUSA and includes work by Libba Tracy, Alex Bernstein, Erin Keane, and more. Visit Reawakening here.
- Western NC Hurricane Relief Potter’s Market: Head to Raleigh Iron Works on Saturday, April 5, for the Spruce Pine Potter's Market, where you can browse handcrafted pottery, meet talented artisans, and support those affected by Hurricane Helene. The event is free, and all proceeds benefit the potters while fostering a sense of community. Learn more here.
Call for Artists
- Come to Leicester Artist Studio Tour: Apply now for the 2025 Come to Leicester Artist Studio Tour, celebrating its 20th anniversary! Artists can showcase their work in home studios or at art markets. Applications are open until April 10th here.
Special Thanks to Our Partners
This copy has been edited for length and clarity. All photos published with permission of the artist(s); featured photo: Ashton Zager