ASHEVILLE, NC — The Asheville Art Museum, with generous support from MetLife Foundation and a partnership with the Buncombe County Public Libraries, is proud to announce the creation of the smArt Speak: Distinguished Artist Series which will bring Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Guerrilla Girls, Faith Ringgold and Art Spiegelman to Asheville.

The first date in the series is Monday, March 31, 2008 at Asheville
Community Theatre when the group known as the Guerrilla Girls will
use facts, humor and outrageous visuals to expose sexism, racism
and corruption in politics, art, film and pop culture.

The Guerrilla Girls will also be leading a hands-on workshop at the Asheville
Art Museum on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Space is limited for this event and
advance registration through the Museum is required.

Click here for information on upcoming Guerrilla Girls programs

On Thursday, September 11, 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning illustrator Art Spiegelman will speak at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

Spiegelman is the creator of Maus, a gripping graphic novel about the
Holocaust, and In the Shadow of No Towers, a personal work about his
experiences during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He will discuss the history of independent comics and his experiences
after more than 40 years in that business.




Tuesday, November 18, 2008 will see multi-faceted artist Faith
Ringgold talk about her work as a painter, textile artist, children’s book
author and illustrator exploring the African-American experience at
Diana Wortham Theatre.

The fourth event in the series will feature internationally known artists
Christo and Jeanne-Claude speaking at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on
Thursday, February 5, 2009.

The couple will talk about their four decades of work together that
includes surrounding 11 islands in Miami's Biscayne Bay with pink
fabric in 1983 and placing 7,503 gates made of saffron-colored cloth
along paths in New York’s City’s Central Park in 2006.

“Our reasons for choosing these artists are numerous,” explained Nancy Sokolove, the Museum’s Adult Programs Manager. “The Guerrilla Girl’s mission of non-violent protest with a humorous sensibility certainly hits home for us in Asheville, and “Activism” is the theme of the programs surrounding their visit. Art Spiegelman was chosen with the theme of “Graphic Memory” in mind as his graphic novels Maus and In the Shadow of No Towers are powerful, autobiographical and universal. “Personal Narrative” is the theme of the constellation of programs for the artist Faith Ringgold. Her story quilts bridge craft and fine art to speak to the African-American experience both personally and in a more universal way. The artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude are known for temporary art works that reflect and reinterpret their surroundings, and “Art and Its Environment” is a natural theme for the programs before and after their visit.”

Asheville Art Museum Executive Director Pamela Myers said these lectures and their associated programs will add to the artistic sensibilities already present in Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina.

“Each of these world renowned artists has made important contributions to American life and culture,” Myers said. “Learning about their work through their words will be exciting and inspirational. Many thanks are due to MetLife for making this series possible.”

The smArt Speak: Distinguished Artist Series is made possible through a substantial grant from MetLife Foundation and its Museums and Community Connections program. The Asheville Art Museum is one of 13 museums across the country to receive this MetLife Foundation grant to broaden its programming and make art a larger part of everyday life.

“MetLife Foundation has a long history of partnering with museums to support learning and development opportunities for people of all ages,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “Museums enrich our lives in many ways, increase understanding of our world and reflect important cultural traditions. MetLife Foundation is pleased to recognize these innovative projects.”

The Buncombe County Public Libraries is a partner with the Asheville Art Mus eum in obtaining this grant. The Asheville Art Museum, Pack Memorial Library and several of the branch libraries will be locations for smART Speak programs including book discussions, films and workshops.

“We are pleased to partner with the Asheville Art Museum in these programs,” said Ed Sheary, Library Director for the Buncombe County Public Libraries. “We know this series will benefit not just residents of Asheville and Buncombe County, but all of Western North Carolina and the southeast.”

Additional partners in this series include UNC-Asheville and the Asheville School. In-kind support comes from the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Haywood Park Hotel, Malaprops Bookstore / Cafe and Fugazy Travel.

Lecture dates for the smART Speak: Distinguished Artist series: 

Guerrilla Girls
Monday, March 31, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Asheville Community Theatre
Tickets: $18 general admission, $16 Asheville Art Museum members,
$14 students with valid ID
Tickets are on sale now from the ACT Box Office or at www.ashevilletheatre.org. 

Art Spiegelman
Thursday, September 11, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Information will be available closer to the event

Faith Ringgold
Wednesday, November 18, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Diana Wortham Theatre
Information will be available closer to the event

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Thursday, February 5, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Thomas Wolfe Theatre
Information will be available closer to the event

Visit the Asheville Art Museum and www.ashevilleart.org for more information about these events
and associated programs as they become available.

Image credits:

Guerrilla Girls: Courtesy www.guerrillagirls.com

Art Spiegelman: Artist Photo by Nadja Spiegelman

Faith Ringgold: Artist Photo by Grace Matthews 

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Artist Photo by Wolfgang Volz