Blue Spiral 1

Blue Spiral 1 Fine Art + Craft
(321)

06/20/2026

Carrie McGee’s Orbital Pathways has drawn a great deal of attention during its time in our Main Gallery. As the seasons shift and we prepare for a new rotation of exhibitions, we’ve given this remarkable work a new home in our second-floor conference room, where natural light pours through the windows and brings new dimensions to the piece throughout the day.

We invite you to experience it in person and see how the changing light transforms the work.

National Clay Week feels like the perfect time to celebrate the enduring legacy of Judith Duff (1945–2021).A nationally ...
06/18/2026

National Clay Week feels like the perfect time to celebrate the enduring legacy of Judith Duff (1945–2021).

A nationally recognized ceramic artist, Duff devoted decades to studying the traditions, aesthetics, and firing techniques of Japanese pottery. Her travels and research in Japan profoundly shaped her work, particularly her exploration of chawan, the humble yet revered tea bowl at the heart of the Japanese tea ceremony. Through years of experimentation with wood firing, shino glazes, and locally sourced materials, she developed a visual language that honored tradition while remaining distinctly her own.

If you’re celebrating National Clay Week with us, we hope you’ll stop by and spend some time with these remarkable works. There is something deeply moving about holding a vessel made by an artist who dedicated her life to understanding the relationship between earth, fire, form, and ritual.

FEATURED WORK:

Chawan No. 1
Ceramic - Wood fired stoneware
3-1/4 x 4-1/4 x 4-1/2 inches

One more week to catch our current round of shows! You’ll find Reuben Negrón featured in our group exhibition, Off Scrip...
06/16/2026

One more week to catch our current round of shows! You’ll find Reuben Negrón featured in our group exhibition, Off Script, in our Lower Level.

IF YOUR WORK HAD A SOUNDTRACK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’ve always imagined something slow, quiet, and instrumental. You know, the kind of score you’d hear in a movie when the main characters think back to how they first met, their memories playing in flashes of images and scenes, both quick and slow, showing who they were and what led them to where they are now. The compositions change depending with each painting, with each model or couple, this the sense that the music takes back into someone else’s memory is always there.

WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING AN ARTIST?

Being an artist isn’t easy. It comes with a number of sacrifices and struggles, especially in the context of today’s technological and economic landscape. But what it does offer is the time and space to be still, to observe, and to reflect on the world around us. Investing time in my art allows for a greater understanding of not just the world about me, but of myself as well. I feel more grounded through my art. More appreciative. More joyful. And that is absolutely priceless.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I wish people understood how difficult it is - not just in the technical aspect, which, in of itself, is no small task - but in reference to the introspection, personal discipline, and vulnerability it takes for all artists to do what we do. My work is no exception.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’d have to say my sketchbook. My sketchbook isn’t just a place to draw, it’s my journal. It’s a working archive of my growth both as a person and as an artist. I still own every sketchbook I’ve ever used and will probably never part with them. They are a peek inside my mind and for that, they will always stay by my side.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ART ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

It never hurts to ask.

FEATURED WORK:

The 11th (Paris Rooftop)
Drawing - charcoal and liquid charcoal on paper
47 x 35 inches

We wrap up this round of Ask the Artist with Peggy Root. Beloved for their strong sense of place, Peggy Root’s landscape...
06/13/2026

We wrap up this round of Ask the Artist with Peggy Root. Beloved for their strong sense of place, Peggy Root’s landscapes reflect a deep respect for the land and a plein air practice that collectors and fellow artists alike admire for its skill, discipline, and authenticity. Come see her current show Into the Wild now.

WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING AN ARTIST?

What I love the most is getting to spend so much time outside in gorgeous natural places. To get to do that for a living is quite the blessing. What is really wonderful are the occasional excursions where I get to spend a few solid days on location, uninterrupted and thinking of nothing but painting. These are times where I can really dig in and paint a location, putting down all my ideas, feelings and experiences.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE STUDIO OR FIELD ITEM TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

In my outside work, I treasure my outdoor easel - a large oak and metal vintage surveyor’s tripod that I use to hold my large canvases in all kinds of field conditions from steep mountainsides to flowing creeks. I’ve had two of these for over forty years of rigorous landscape work.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ART ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

In my younger years of painting, I often got advice on how to be more market oriented in my approach, but I never really wanted to follow those things. I have always just wanted to paint what I want to paint.

FEATURED WORK:

Mt. Mitchell Trail
Painting - Oil on linen
30 x 42 inches

Summer has a way of heightening the senses. Colors feel brighter, days stretch longer, and the world seems charged with ...
06/11/2026

Summer has a way of heightening the senses. Colors feel brighter, days stretch longer, and the world seems charged with energy. That spirit is beautifully reflected in the work of Sarah Boots Yoder.

Bold, graphic, and alive with movement, her paintings explore the dynamic relationship between color, shape, and rhythm. Vibrant hues collide and harmonize across the surface, creating compositions that feel both playful and intentional. There is a sense of momentum in the work, as though each mark is responding to the one before it, building a visual language that is energetic, confident, and deeply engaging.

Sarah’s paintings have a wonderful ability to bring color and vitality into a space. Their bright palettes and dynamic forms feel especially at home in summer, when we find ourselves drawn to light, movement, and moments of delight.

FEATURED WORK:
Summer Downhill
Painting - Acrylic, oil, gouache, pastel on canvas
48 x 48 inches

Our Ask the Artist series continues with Tamie Beldue currently featured in her solo show in our Small Format Gallery. ...
06/10/2026

Our Ask the Artist series continues with Tamie Beldue currently featured in her solo show in our Small Format Gallery. If you haven’t seen this show yet, here’s your nudge.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Sadly, my bifocals. While I wear monovision contacts, I still need a boost when drawing details. Perhaps more interestingly, would be my pencil and rotary sharpener. I joke that I spend more time sharpening my pencil than I do actually drawing. It’s a thing, I like a super sharp point.

WHO OR WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS AS AN ARTIST?

Oh, so many great options, as I really draw inspiration from everywhere. But I have dedicated a lot of time (still) looking at Antonio Lopez Garcia’s work. His exhibition in 2008 at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston blew me away and has been the most influential exhibition I have seen to date. When I was younger, I looked at a lot of black and white photographers. Without relying on color, they were focused on light and shadow and the tonal variations of each, and that really resonated with me. Right after college, I worked at this gigantic Antique Mall where I was required to be always moving, circling through the different wings, carrying items that were being purchased, and opening showcases for guests. One consignment stall had a Wyeth at Keurners book. I moved it to the isle and, with every lap, turned the page and studied the drawing as long as I dared to remain idle. Of course, I had already spent a lot of time with Wyeth’s work, but that job was so insufferable that studying it (even in print) made it a tiny bit better.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ART ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

I didn’t receive it directly, but I am a huge fan of the Edwin Dickinson quote, “The general never comes from the particular, the particular comes from the general”

FEATURED WORK:
Shadow of an Anatomy Lesson
Drawing - Graphite, watercolor, charcoal and encaustic
10 x 10 inches

Color becomes a language in the work of Julian Jamaal Jones. Through vibrant hues, rhythmic marks, and interlocking shap...
06/09/2026

Color becomes a language in the work of Julian Jamaal Jones. Through vibrant hues, rhythmic marks, and interlocking shapes, he creates compositions where color and form seem to bounce, overlap, and find their own rhythm.

Rooted in a practice that includes both drawing and quilting, Jones brings together intuition and structure in ways that feel deeply personal. His work draws inspiration from the rich traditions of African American quiltmaking, transforming pattern, repetition, and abstraction into something wholly his own. Shapes shift and connect across the surface, creating a sense of movement that encourages the eye to wander and explore.

There is a generosity to Jones’s work. Bold color choices and dynamic compositions invite viewers in, while layered relationships between shape, line, and space reward closer attention. The result is work that feels energetic, thoughtful, and alive with possibility.

FEATURED WORK:
Introvert Dream no. 7
Drawing
34-1/4 x 26-1/4 inches

In today’s Ask the Artist, we find out more about Amelia Mendelsohn, one of the invited artists in our current group exh...
06/08/2026

In today’s Ask the Artist, we find out more about Amelia Mendelsohn, one of the invited artists in our current group exhibition, Off Script. Curious to see more of her work? There are just a couple more weeks left in this show. Come on by to see!

IF YOUR ART HAD A SOUNDTRACK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“The Beach Boys’ discography shuffled with the Goblin’s 1977 Suspiria soundtrack, interspersed with the sound of cicadas buzzing. I’m half-joking, but what I listen to when I paint depends on what I’m working through formally. If I have a few uninterrupted hours to work, I like to make a playlist beforehand that reflects what I’m thinking about in terms of color or rendering. Sometimes I’m simply focused on visualizing memory or familiarity, while other times I’m attempting to heighten visual tension within the work.”

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING AN ARTIST?

“If I had to narrow it down, I’d say I find the physical process of being an artist rewarding. I like working with my hands and responding to how tactile some of my painting process is. The awareness I have of handling a brush, working with paint on canvas, and responding to marks made is very satisfying.”

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“Books! My mom has worked and volunteered in libraries throughout most of my life, so I’d love to one day have a studio that somehow feels like it’s been dropped in the middle of some library stacks. I like having a physical book to flip through during breaks from painting. I’m staring at The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair and Interacting with Color: A Practical Guide to Josef Albers’s Color Experiments by Fritz Horstman while I type this.”

FEATURED WORK:
Backseat Gum
Painting - Oil and acrylic on canvas
36 x 44 inches

Our new Ask the Artist series provides a glimpse into our artists and their work.WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEIN...
06/06/2026

Our new Ask the Artist series provides a glimpse into our artists and their work.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING AN ARTIST?

Making connections.

Connecting to my work. I love watching a story come to life. So much of my inspiration comes from the natural world and our relationship with it. I do not see us as separate from nature – we are part of all of it. Creating gives me a way to explore that connection.

Connecting with other artists. There is something deeply inspiring about witnessing other creatives bringing their vision to life. Building friendships with fellow artists has been a meaningful part of my journey. I am inspired by the opportunity to watch someone’s creative process. Their work offers a glimpse into the world from a different perspective, reminding me of the countless ways we see, interpret and experience life.

Connecting with collectors.

Over the years I have been lucky to meet some truly amazing collectors. Its always an honor when someone connects with a piece and chooses to bring it into their home or collection. I especially love hearing the stories behind why a sculpture resonates with them and how it fits into their life.

Connections through workshops.

Teaching workshops has introduced me to some of the most amazing people. There is a unique kind of magic that happens when individuals come together and dedicate focused time to creating. This shared experience of learning, making and exchanging ideas often lead to meaningful connections that extend far beyond the workshop.

IF MY ART HAD A SOUNDTRACK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It would definitely include birdsong that I hear from my studio windows. Nature sounds mixed with ambient music – the sound of the ocean, wind through the trees – atmospheric, timeless and somewhat ancient.

FEATURED WORK:
Finding Home no. 2
Ceramic
34 x 18 x 6 1/2 inches

Come see Christine’s work in her current show, Into the Wild, on display for another couple weeks.

There is something wonderfully captivating about the work of Douglas Miller. Inspired by the animal world, his drawings ...
06/04/2026

There is something wonderfully captivating about the work of Douglas Miller. Inspired by the animal world, his drawings seem to exist somewhere between observation and imagination, as though the pages of a naturalist’s field journal have come alive and begun telling their own stories.

Birds, insects, mammals, and other creatures emerge through layered marks, revisions, and unexpected details. His images often feel discovered rather than constructed, carrying a sense of wonder, inquiry, and possibility. The visible traces of his process invite us into the act of looking itself, where nothing feels fixed and every line suggests another path forward.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed featuring Douglas’s work in our Main Gallery this spring. Keep your eyes on our future exhibition schedule for a feature show later this year.

FEATURED WORK:

Parakeet Construction
Drawing - mixed media
40 x 50 inches

Address

38 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+18282510202

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blue Spiral 1 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Blue Spiral 1:

Shortcuts

Share

Category