ArtScape banner on Main Street, Hendersonville. Indigo Beach. Al Junek, artist. Photo by Daniel Hopkins
The Art League of Henderson County is gearing up for an exciting day on Saturday, May 3, with two important events. The League will reveal the 2025 banners for its annual ArtScape Banner Program in front of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission at 2:30 p.m. There will also be a reception and grand opening event at the newly renovated Art Place Gallery from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The ArtScape Banner Program, which has become a cherished tradition in Hendersonville, showcases the creative work of local artists on banners hung along Main Street and 7th Avenue. This year marks over a decade of the program, which began when local artist Connie Knight brought the idea of art-filled banners from Winchester, Virginia, to Hendersonville.
Diane Dean, president of the Art League of Henderson County, notes that the program has received invaluable support from the Community Foundation of WNC and various local sponsors, helping it to thrive over the years. “From the very beginning of the banner program, local businesses and organizations have participated by sponsoring banners,” she says. “Some of our sponsors are patrons of the arts who simply want to support the program.”
ArtScape Banner on Main Street, Hendersonville. Nuances of Strength. Helene Lund Den Boer, artist. Photo by Daniel Hopkins
In addition to the banner program, the grand opening of the Art Place Gallery at 730 Locust Street marks a significant milestone for the Art League. This new location is part of the 7th Avenue Streetscape Project, a revitalization initiative that has transformed the district into a bustling hub with a variety of restaurants, breweries and art spaces. The Art League’s move to this central location is expected to enhance both its visibility and accessibility. “We felt that relocating to a location with more foot traffic in a community setting where visitors could dine, shop and park would greatly increase our success,” Dean says.
The new Art Place Gallery will offer a variety of exhibits and programs throughout the year. With its larger space, the Art League aims to support emerging and professional artists alike, providing them with more opportunities to showcase their work. The gallery will also feature a dedicated retail space for the area’s clay artists, in collaboration with the Glassman Clay Studio. “Our Glassman Clay Studio creative members are already exhibiting in retail space at the clay studio,” Dean says. “Our area is known for its clay artists and this will be the first clay-focused retail space in Hendersonville.”
The grand opening will feature an exhibition of the original works of art that inspired this year’s banners. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, explore the artwork in both 2D and 3D and enjoy music and refreshments. The gallery will also highlight work from local artists who participated in the Open Studio Tour and were affected by the cancellation of last year’s event due to Hurricane Helene. “Seeing both the original works, meeting the artists and seeing the banners up close in a spacious setting will make the opening really special,” says Dean.
The Hendersonville Rescue Mission is located at 639 Maple Street, Hendersonville. The Art Place Gallery is located at 730 Locust Street. Learn more at ArtLeagueHVL.org.
