
Art Affair 2024. Photo by Camilla Calnan
OpenDoors Asheville will host its 15th annual Art Affair gala and auction Saturday, March 1, at Asheville’s historic Masonic Temple. The annual event raises funds to support OpenDoors Asheville’s mission of creating equitable access to education for area students. This year’s event promises an unforgettable evening of community, creativity, and generosity, all aimed at bridging the race-based opportunity and achievement gaps in education.
Art Affair 2025 — presented by Hunter Volvo and Pinegate Renewables — will feature a live auction with Brunk Auctions, a silent auction with mobile bidding, and an array of fine art, luxury travel experiences, jewelry, ceramics, and more. Guests can enjoy food, drink and live entertainment—all while supporting a vital cause.
The theme for this year’s event, The Ripple Effect, highlights the transformative power of collective action. The Art Affair will celebrate the power of working together to create opportunity, foster hope, and inspire success for Asheville students.

Seeing It Through. Hayden Wilson, artist
OpenDoors partners with local students and families to provide resources like tutoring, college prep, scholarships, summer camps, art workshops, and mentorship. All proceeds from the event directly fund these programs.
This year’s featured art piece, Seeing It Through, was created by local glass artist and longtime OpenDoors supporter Hayden Wilson, who has been an active River Arts District artist since the early 2000s. The piece incorporates a recovered image from the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene and represents “the strength and inspiration we find in helping one another as we rebuild our neighborhoods and communities and move forward together,” says Wilson
“In a year that has seemed insurmountable, it has been community supporting community that has carried us through,” says contributing artist Andy Farkas. “OpenDoors is opening new doors, not only for students but also for artists, by expanding the support network that uplifts us all. It’s an honor to be part of this mission.”
New this year, OpenDoors is expanding its reach to supporters across the country with remote mobile bidding for the silent auction. Bidding opens February 24, and runs through the evening of the event. Visit OpenDoorsAsheville.org to view the online auction catalog and participate in the event.
The Masonic Temple is located at 80 Broadway Street in Asheville. Tickets for the event are available at OpenDoorsAsheville.org. With limited capacity, early ticket purchases are encouraged.