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Asheville Art Museum

Asheville Art Museum

North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art

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Home > Exhibitions > Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Dates:
October 22, 2021–January 24, 2022
Location:
Explore Asheville Exhibition Hall

The experiment known as Black Mountain College (BMC) began in 1933 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and headed towards World War II; budgets were low, but creativity was high. When Josef & Anni Albers emigrated from Germany to the United States, they left the Bauhaus school of art and design behind but brought with them their modern aesthetic and design prowess. As faculty leaders at BMC, they attracted well known architects like A. Lawrence Kocher and Buckminster Fuller, among others, to teach architecture and design.

Perhaps most progressive of their actions was to hire a woman, Mary “Molly” Gregory, to head the furniture workshop. An openness to creativity and a smart resourcefulness—on the part of both faculty and students (like Ruth Asawa, Albert Lanier, and Mim Sihvonen)—meant an artistic output of groundbreaking designs including architecture, furniture, ceramics, textiles, and more that has yet to be fully assessed. This exhibition highlights the Asheville Art Museum’s collection of design from BMC, like the rarely seen Gregory furniture, and situates it in the context of its influences and surroundings at BMC.

This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and curated by Whitney Richardson, associate curator. Support is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and Julia & Jim Peterson.

Related Programs & Events

Thursday, Oct 21, 2021

Members-Only Preview: Modernist Design and Gestures

As a valued Museum Member, we invite you to join us for the exclusive opening of our newest exhibitions: Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Friday, Oct 29, 2021

Art Break: Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Today’s Art Break is led by Whitney Richardson, associate curator.

Thursday, Nov 4, 2021

Public Tour: Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Today’s public tour is led by Joey Gigliotti, touring docent.

Friday, Nov 5, 2021

Slow Art Friday: Modernist Design at Black Mountain College – VIRTUAL

Join Hank Bovee, touring docent, for an interactive conversation about artworks in the special exhibition Modernist Design at Black Mountain College.

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021

*CANCELED* Connections: Modernist Design at Black Mountain College

Join Hank Bovee, touring docent, for today’s small-group/in-person tour for adults with memory loss and their care partners.

See All Related Events

Selected works from the exhibition

Basket
Ruth Asawa, Basket
Bowl
Daniel Rhodes, Bowl
Lidded vessel with bamboo handle
Karen Karnes, Lidded vessel with bamboo handle
Pitcher
Robert Chapman Turner, Pitcher
Stool and Lazy-J Chair
Mary “Molly” Gregory, Stool and Lazy-J Chair
View of Fireplace with Chairs Designed by Lawrence Kocher
Alfred “Lawrence” Kocher, View of Fireplace with Chairs Designed by Lawrence Kocher

Group Tours

Groups of students or adults are invited to schedule a tour of the Museum’s Collection or special exhibitions. Our inquiry-based group visits, led by volunteer docents or Museum staff, challenge visitors to hone their observation skills.

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Museum Hours:

Open daily 11am–6pm. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available.
m

Museum Location:

2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
P

Museum Contact

828.253.3227
mailbox@ashevilleart.org
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