United States
Alli Marshall is a poet, performer, writer, editor, and content creator. She is a longtime resident of Asheville, N.C., where she's part of the creative sector as a maker, organizer, and reporter. She served as the arts section editor and lead arts writer of alternative newsweekly Mountain Xpress for 17 years.
Currently, Alli runs her own company, AM/FM Broadcast, through which she offers communications and marketing assistance to small businesses. Her skills include social media management, marketing assistance, content creation, website management, newsletter creation, media outreach, and more.
Alli also teaches creativity and creative writing workshops to adults, online and in-person.
Onstage at the LEAF Performance & Songwriter Competition, on Saturday, May 10, Jackson Grimm’s songs contained elements of old-time and bluegrass — but were also wholly original and fresh; surprising yet relatable. It was his authenticity, polish, and stage presence that ultimately nabbed Jackson the win.
The Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association broke down the issues facing vinyl pressing plants — namely mounting pressure from multinational corporations muscling into the U.S. market. — and why it's both important and beneficial for artists and record labels to have their projects pressed locally or regionally.
Explore indigenous art and culture as we continue to celebrate Legends of Americas; experience music and traditions of global artists; and be inspired by creatives and thought leaders from both local and international communities.
For some people weathering the storm, food was hard to come by. Those with experience canning looked to their own larders.
Although Western North Carolina has passed the six-month mark since Tropical Storm Helene, much support is still needed. And not just in big ways - rebuilding, debris removal, cash influx - but in subtler ways. Self-care, anxiety and immune system support, an empathetic ear. This is where the Appalachian Herb Collective steps in.
Many of the year’s great reads come from the UNC Asheville community. Here is a roundup of books authored by faculty and staff members of the university.
Outdoor venues host spring and summer concerts. A backyard came with the property at One World Brewing West, in West Asheville, N.C. "Our place is kind of tucked away," says Lisa Schutz, who owns the brewery and venue with her husband Jay.
Japanese-born potter and musician Akira Satake creates and displays work at his Gallery Mugen in Asheville's River Arts District. His pieces range from home decor and sculpture to tableware, sake cups, and tea sets. Satake moved to the U.S. four decades ago.
Growing up in Spartanburg, S.C., back when "it didn't have a vibrant downtown," the goal for award-winning writer Latria Graham was just to get out. She did, attending Dartmouth College before completing an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from The New School in New York City and going on to win multiple awards for sportswriting and journalism.
Artistic modalities aren't gendered any more than, say, cuisines, dance styles or literary genres. Yet, historically, certain forms of making have been more associated with female-bodied people (fiber arts and jewelry design among them) while other skill sets, such as electronics, blacksmithing and welding, have been associated with male artists.
Although it's the men associated with Black Mountain College - such as teaching artists Josef Albers, Buckminster Fuller and Charles Olsen - who have historically received the most acclaim, the women of that institution were also innovators, change makers and important players in the art world.
Asheville's known for many things: natural beauty, an historic downtown, craft beer and great food. The local music scene is equally deserving of a top-10 list mention. Though hard to explain, Asheville's multi-genre, boundary-pushing sound is underscored by its eclecticism.
Of the exhibition #HUMAN, Singh notes, "This is probably the only time in my life I've created political or social [commentary] pieces. If you look back at my work, it's nudes and romantic, lots of sensual energy, which is really important to my creative process. But I'm definitely finding spaces for broadening the conversation."
In The Pumpkin Shell, a group of artists, outpriced by Asheville's housing market, look for answers in a community garden.
There was a plague in India in 1994. It sounded dangerous, in a romantic way. Those of us on the semester abroad trip remained in Sri Lanka for an extra week while the group leaders faxed the college and the college administrators faxed our parents who were no doubt baffled by what it all meant.