Artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Guerrilla Girls, Faith Ringgold
and Art Spiegelman are coming to North Carolina as part of the Asheville Art Museum's smArt speak: Distinguished Artist Series.

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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 and the four phenomenal artists participating in this exciting venture.

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

Guerrilla Girls smArt speak 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.

Art Spiegelman smArt speak Programs

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.

Faith Ringgold smArt speak Programs

 
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.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude smArt speak Programs

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 Museum 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.

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 Jeann-Claude: Artist Photo by Wolfgang Volz