Artsville Crewest Studio + Sand Hill Artists Collective

In this episode of the Artsville Podcast, we introduce you to two of the remarkable painters taking part in the inaugural Biltmore Lake’s Imaginative Studio Stroll (BLISS), taking place on May 6th, 2023. Dynamic mother-daughter duo Bee Sieburg and Molly Courcelle are each incredible artists in their own right. From an early age, Bee encouraged Molly to view the world with an artist’s eye, and they spent hours drawing, painting, and visiting museums together. Bee is a beloved oil painter known for her rich depictions of landscapes, interiors, and animals (cows in particular) in her signature loose style. While Molly inherited her mother’s expressive flair, she went on to develop her own unique visual language, creating beautifully layered abstract oil paintings inspired by scripture. Join us today as we delve deeper into each of their practices and find out how their work is reflective of their distinct personalities. Tuning in, you’ll hear the amazing story of Molly’s adoption and why Molly and Bee were meant to find one another. We also discuss how BLISS will be mutually beneficial for artists and visitors, what you can expect to see when you visit Molly’s house during the event, and how BLISS is bringing economic development and cultural programming to Candler, plus so much more. As our cohost-in-crime Louise Glickman says, this interview provides listeners with an opportunity to “see where creativity comes from,” so be sure not to miss it!
Key Points From This Episode:
The story of how Molly’s birth mother requested that she be adopted by an artistic family.Ways that Bee and Molly’s artworks reflect their different personalities.Opportunities that BLISS provides for people to see art in a new way.Molly explains why BLISS is as beneficial for the artists as it is for visitors.What you can expect from Bee and Molly when they open their homes to BLISS visitors.How our guests will cater to different budgets with artworks at various price points.Where you can find Bee and Molly at WEDGE Studios in the River Arts District.Funny anecdotes that illustrate why some of Bee’s friends call her Pig-Pen!Important ways that BLISS is driving economic development in Candler.Insight into OpenDoors Asheville, a non-profit organization that Bee and Molly support.Things that our guests are most grateful for, including family and creativity.Where Bee’s talent for floral design and her love for cows come from.What makes Asheville Artsville, according to Bee and Molly.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Biltmore Lake’s Imaginative Studio Stroll (BLISS) — https://www.biltmorelakeartists.com/
Bee Sieburg — https://www.biltmorelakeartists.com/artists/bee-sieburg
Bee Sieburg Website — https://www.beesieburg.com/
Molly Courcelle — https://www.biltmorelakeartists.com/artists/molly-courcelle
Molly Courcelle Website — https://www.mollycourcelle.com/
WEDGE Studios — https://wedgestudioartists.com/
OpenDoors — https://opendoorsasheville.org/
Art Affair — a href="https://opendoorsasheville.org/art-affair" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

If you’re listening to this podcast, you already know that art brings beauty and joy into our lives, but it can also bring us closer as we learn about it together and share experiences. This is the objective that Sherry Masters had in mind when she created Art Connections, an Asheville-based business designed to bring art enthusiasts and artists together through art consultation and studio tours. Sherry founded Art Connections in 2013 to act as a bridge between those who are interested in art and the many highly-skilled artists in Asheville who create paintings, textile art, glassware, ceramics, sculptures, and more. As a native Ashevillan, Sherry intimately understands the phenomenal impact of these cultural art practices, and her 30 years of experience have allowed her to gain the trust of not only the local creative community but the visitors it attracts too. Tuning in today, you’ll learn more about the unique tours that Sherry organizes and why she believes it’s important to humanize the arts by facilitating these types of exchanges. She also shares some local recommendations, sheds light on her personal relationship with the arts, and more! Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned collector, Sherry can help you make informed selections and transform your space by including original artwork. Be sure to tune in to find out how!
Key Points From This Episode:
Why you should seek Art Connections out next time you’re in Asheville.The inspiration behind Sherry’s decision to “be a bridge” between artists and art enthusiasts.Examples of some of the personalized art tour experiences that Sherry curates.Reflecting on the importance of humanizing and demystifying the arts.Insight into the art consultation and advisory services that Sherry provides.How Sherry navigates the unique needs and budgets of different collectors.Recommended artists if you are looking to purchase a piece of glass art.Where Sherry’s love for art and making things originated.The fundamental influence of institutions like the Penland School of Craft.A look at Sherry’s personal art practice, which is primarily concerned with textiles.The creativity that is required to make these “art connections” between people.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sherry Masters on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-masters-b791bb79/
Sherry Masters on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/arttoursasheville/
Art Connections — https://www.arttoursasheville.com/
Mark Peiser — https://markpeiser.com/
John Littleton and Kate Vogel — https://www.littletonvogel.com/
Michael Sherrill — https://www.michaelsherrill.com/
Penland School of Craft — https://penland.org/
Artsville Podcast — https://artsville.captivate.fm/
Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/
Louise Glickman — https://www.louiseglickman.com/
Daryl Slaton —...

Art and culture are essential elements that keep communities healthy, vibrant, and connected. Artsville founder Louise Glickman even thinks of art as the glue that holds communities together. With this in mind, artists in Biltmore Lake, Candler, NC, have partnered with Artsville to produce a studio tour with a twist! Introducing BLISS, the first-ever Biltmore Lake’s Imaginative Studio Stroll, where 25 artists plus several guest artists will show and sell their art from their Biltmore Lake homes on Saturday, May 6th, 2023. In today’s episode of the Artsville Podcast, co-hosts Louise and Scott “Sourdough” Power are joined by fellow art enthusiast and BLISS volunteer team member, Elaine Scherer, to talk about the important role this world-class event plays in positioning Candler as a creative outpost and how it will broaden, strengthen, and acknowledge creative networks within the surrounding communities. To learn more about how you can join Biltmore Lake’s artists for their first annual studio tour, what you can expect to see on the day, and what you can do to contribute, be sure to tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Louise offers some context for this “fun, different, and imaginative” event.How the action-oriented Elaine became involved in BLISS.Why art is fundamental for any well-connected community, functioning like a glue.A look at what art means to Elaine as a registered nurse.Visitor attractions and the artists that are participating in BLISS.What makes BLISS a studio tour with a twist (and how we came up with the name).The spirit of service that drives Elaine’s unique style of leadership.Louise explains what attracts people to Biltmore Lake, including professional talent.How you can contribute to BLISS and become one of our volunteers.Some of the small and local businesses that are getting involved in the event.Why BLISS is a family-friendly event and an excellent learning opportunity for kids.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
BLISS: Biltmore Lake's Imaginative Studio Stroll — https://www.biltmorelakeartists.com/
BLISS on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/BLArtStroll/
Elaine Scherer on Twitter — https://twitter.com/AVLRN
Elaine Scherer Email — emscherer828@gmail.com
Katrina Chenevert Gallery — https://www.katrinachenevertgallery.com/
Fractured Atlas — https://www.fracturedatlas.org/
Artsville — https://www.artsvilleusa.com/
Artsville Podcast — https://www.artsvilleusa.com/tag/podcast/
Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/
Louise Glickman — https://www.louiseglickman.com/
Daryl Slaton — http://www.tailsofwhimsy.com/
Crewest Studio — a href="https://creweststudio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

If you’re listening to this podcast, you already know that there are so many reasons that art is important. It not only beautifies our surroundings, but it is a reflection of the world around us. For Mary Farmer, an artist with a long history as a women’s rights and social justice activist, art is liberation from the stresses of the world. Mary is a renowned encaustic painter based in Asheville, whose paintings create a portal into a timeless and transcendent state of being. It’s easy to get lost in Mary’s tranquil landscapes and travel to a more peaceful place in your mind, which is exactly what she hopes to achieve. At the center of her practice lies a much more quiet activism, a call to take some much-needed refuge from the onslaught of negativity that surrounds us. Referring to some of her more abstract landscape paintings as ‘soft landings’, Mary’s work is created to help you slow down and take time to decompress. Ultimately, rest is a radical and intentional act of resistance in a world that has no pause button. By looking after our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing, we can gather the energy we need to keep fighting for the causes we believe in. So, sit back, relax, and let Mary Farmer take you on a journey of creative self-care!
Key Points From This Episode:
The quiet activism at the heart of Mary’s practice.Ways that Artsville offers healing, friendship, and comfort.How art provides opportunities for deeper connection.The ‘mental vacation’ that art offers us in a post-COVID world.Important causes that Mary and Louise have advocated for together.Insight into Mary’s decision to reincorporate activism into her artwork.When Mary’s commitment to women’s rights began.Using art to translate the spiritual connection with nature that one feels in Asheville.Where Mary gets the energy to keep fighting for the causes she believes in.The importance of speaking loudly and clearly about social justice through art.An understanding of Mary’s focus on comfort, shelter, and beauty.Why we have to make time for rest and self-care in today’s world.Attracting attention to the arts as a form of activism.Mary’s approach to marketing as a “mutual exchange of pleasure.”A look at the global community of International Encaustic Artists.Nurturing a mass market for original art to give artists a better livelihood.The responsibility that artists have to put their work out there.Bringing art, education, and activism under one umbrella with Artsville.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Mary Farmer — https://www.maryfarmer.com/
Mary Farmer on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/MaryFarmerArtist/
Ep. 12: Looking at the World Differently with Kenn Kotara — https://www.artsvilleusa.com/looking-at-the-world-differently-with-kenn-kotara/
International Encaustic Artists — https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/
Thrive Asheville — https://www.thriveavl.org/
Artsville Podcast — https://artsville.captivate.fm/
Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/
Louise Glickman —

Textile-based products are often an underappreciated art form that does not receive the recognition it deserves and leaves many artists struggling to earn a living. What is needed is an organization that facilitates the demand for textile-based art forms and helps artists monetize their products. This is the perspective of today’s guest, Judi Jetson, who has been helping drive the recognition and economic development of textile-based local artists. Judi has a deep passion for textiles and regards herself as a fiber activist known for her love of building communities. Judi combines her experience as a business developer with her adoration for textiles to help grow the industry she cherishes so dearly. For the last 10 years, she has been leading Local Cloth, a nonprofit organization helping develop the fiber economy in North Carolina. Local Cloth achieves this through education, inclusive programming, and creating services by leveraging local farmers, artists, makers, and designers. In our conversation, we learn about the vital work that Local Cloth is doing, the challenges the industry faces, and the future vision for the organization. She also provides insight into the role of supply and demand within the textile industry, how the approach to textiles can help other art forms, and why some artists leave the industry. She also shares her approach to building relationships between artists and farmers, and reasons why this is the foundation of her vision. Tune in to learn about the textile industry and why it deserves to be recognized, with Judi Jetson!
Key Points From This Episode:
Background about Judi and how she enables artists. The motivation behind Local Cloth and what it aims to achieve.How Judi’s experience in economic development informed her vision.Why she chose textiles as her art medium and focus of her work.She explains the relationship between supply and demand concerning art.Ways in which Judi is helping to increase the demand for textile-based art.Outline of how her approach to textiles can be applied to other art forms.What her long-term plans are for Local Cloth and her overall vision.Hear about an exciting project she has recently started.The benefits of developing local and handmade textile-based art.Discover the role of farmers in helping drive textile-based products.Why handmade and local products are appealing to people.Judi explains her pricing strategy for products from local artists.We discuss the challenges regarding pricing in the current market.An explanation of why some artists decide to leave the industry.She shares her plans to scale the production of her current vision. Learn about the resources Judi leverages to help grow Local Cloth.Whether she specifically mentions Asheville when marketing her products.Judi shares her opinion on the textile business in North Carolina. What she loves most about Asheville and why she chooses to live there.Learn about the moment she fell in love with textiles. The challenges of using platforms like Esty for textile-based products. Details about an upcoming show that Judi has planned with Artsville. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Judi Jetson on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/judijetson/
Judi Jetson on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/judi1jetson/
Local Cloth — https://localcloth.org/
Local Cloth on Facebook — a...

Art collector and entrepreneur Merrily Orsini moved to Asheville so she could be within walking distance of her four grandchildren. The fact that she and her husband have a glass art collection of over 200 pieces has necessitated some well-thought out house designing and strict enforcement of the “don’t touch the art!” rule (although, she sometimes breaks this rule herself). In today’s episode, Merrily shares the story of the artwork that brought her and her husband together, some of her favorite glass artists, how the glass art industry has changed during this century, and how she hopes to change the world for the better through her Art2025 project. If you’re interested in becoming a glass art collector, Merrily also has some valuable advice for getting started! 
Key Points From This Episode:
Merrily explains what drew her to Asheville.The value that glass art brings to Merrily’s life.What the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass is, and the role that Merrily has played in the organization over many years.How art brought Merrily and her husband together.The size of Merrily and her husband’s art collection.Advice for anyone interested in becoming an art collector.Different types of glass art that exist.Some of Merrily’s favorite glass artists.Where Merrily’s love of glass art began.Merrily’s involvement with the James Renwick Alliance.How the glass art world is changing and the intention behind the Art2025 project.The piece of glass art that Merrily would love to acquire (and why she can’t).

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Merrily Orsini Website — https://merrilyorsini.com/ 
Merrily Orsini on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilyorsini/ 
Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass — https://contempglass.org/ 
Blue Spiral 1 — https://bluespiral1.com/ 
Blown Away — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9908860/ 
Karen Lamont — https://www.karenlamonte.com/ 
Baldwin Guggisberg — https://www.baldwinguggisberg.com/ 
Lino Tagliapietra — https://linotagliapietra.com/ 
James Renwick Alliance — https://www.jra.org/ 
Penland School of Craft — https://penland.org/ 
Hoss Haley — https://www.hosshaley.com/ 
Artsville Podcast — https://artsville.captivate.fm/
Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/
Louise Glickman — https://www.louiseglickman.com/
Daryl Slaton — http://www.tailsofwhimsy.com/
Crewest Studio — a...