Grovewood Gallery celebrates 25 years of American-made art and craft

Considered one of Asheville’s premiere art and craft galleries, Grovewood Gallery - located in Grovewood Village adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn - will mark its 25th year in 2017.  Plans are underway for the anniversary celebration, slated for Saturday, May 20 from 2 – 6pm, which will include an outdoor sculpture exhibition, artist demonstrations, live music by The Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, and local food and drinks. Customers will also have a chance to enter a free raffle to win a kinetic Wind Sculpture by Lyman Whitaker.

Grovewood Gallery’s 25th Anniversary Celebration is sponsored by: Golden Fleece, Hi-Wire Brewing, Metro Wines, and Noble Cider.

"As Grovewood Gallery approaches its 25th birthday, we would like to thank our loyal customers who have supported us through the years,” says Russell Gale, manager of Grovewood Gallery. “The 25th Anniversary Celebration is just our way of extending this gratitude to the community. We wouldn’t be here without you and we hope you will join us in May to celebrate the past and toast to the future!"

Grovewood Gallery opened in 1992 when the city was just beginning to enjoy a cultural and artistic renaissance. Tucked away behind tall Carolina pine trees in the Grove Park neighborhood, visitors today often remark they feel as though they’ve stumbled upon a hidden treasure.

The gallery represents more than 400 artists and craftspeople from across the United States and features more than 9,000-square-feet of display space. Artwork ranges from delicate handcrafted jewelry to large-scale outdoor sculpture. The gallery is noted for its American-made studio furniture collection, and many of the makers represented welcome custom work. Grovewood Gallery also presents rotating exhibitions throughout the year and hosts monthly craft demonstrations by local artists.

The gallery is part of Grovewood Village, housed in the historic weaving and woodworking complex of Biltmore Industries.  Grovewood Village includes six English cottages constructed from 1917 - 1923 by Fred L. Seely, son-in-law of Edwin Wiley Grove. Biltmore Industries began at this site in 1917, and under Seely's direction, grew to become the largest producer of handwoven wool in the world by 1930.

Years after Fred Seely's death, the Blomberg/Patton family (owners since 1953) made the decision to restore and preserve Biltmore Industries' buildings, which were eventually transformed into Grovewood Gallery, working artist studios, an antique car museum, and a restaurant. Today, the 11-acre property is known as Grovewood Village, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information on Grovewood Gallery and Grovewood Village, visit www.grovewood.com or call 828.253.7651.