Our Mission
To cultivate a thriving visual arts community by engaging the public, supporting artists, and expanding access to creative experiences for everyone.
We aspire to create an environment where artistic expression knows no bounds, while offering opportunities for individuals to engage, learn, and find inspiration. We work to continually expand our programs and opportunities, ensuring that every citizen has access to the visual art.
Celebrate Art Annual Juried Show
Call for Artists
Celebrate Art
Deadline September 19, 2026
The Art League of Henderson County invites regional artists to submit work for Celebrate Art 2026, our annual juried exhibition celebrating excellence in the visual arts. The exhibition showcases outstanding contemporary artwork from across the Southeast and features $2,500 in cash awards.
The exhibition will be presented at Art Place Gallery, 730 Locust Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Eligibility: Artists residing in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Florida and Tennessee
Entry Fee: $40 (up to three works)
Entry Deadline: September 19, 2026
Exhibition Dates: October 1–31, 2026
Opening Reception & Awards: Friday, October 2, 2026
Mary Alice Braukman Featured Artist at Art League September Exhibition
September 4–30, 2026 - Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 4, 5–7 p.m.
Art for Lunch Artist Talk: Wednesday, September 16, Noon–1 p.m.
The work of Mary Alice Braukman will be featured during the September Art Place Gallery September Show, accompanied by member's artwork in the main gallery.
Braukman explores what she describes as the alchemy of mixed media, creating richly layered works where color, collage, texture and found objects come together through an intuitive process of discovery. Rather than beginning with a predetermined destination, she allows each work to evolve as materials are added, obscured, uncovered and transformed.
An artist and teacher, Braukman brings that sense of curiosity and experimentation to each piece. Individual works develop their own visual language while collectively reflecting the artist’s personal journey and continuing fascination with the creative process.
As part of the Art League’s Art for Lunch series, Braukman will also present an artist talk on Wednesday, September 16, from noon–1 p.m. at Art Place Gallery. The program is free and open to the public and offers an opportunity to hear directly from Braukman about her creative process, use of mixed media and the inspiration behind her work.
What Your Support Made Possible in 2025
A New Home for the Arts
This year, the Art League of Henderson County successfully relocated and opened the Art Place Gallery in Hendersonville’s Historic 7th Avenue District—establishing a more visible and accessible home for the visual arts. The new space allows us to better showcase the work of local and regional artists while welcoming the public into a vibrant environment designed for exhibitions, gatherings, and creative exchange. The gallery has quickly become a place where artists and community members connect, ideas are shared, and art is experienced as part of everyday life.
Expanded Clay Studio
Support from our community enabled the continued growth of the Stuart Glassman Ceramic Studio into a dynamic center for learning and making. New equipment, expanded studio access, and a broader range of classes increased opportunities for participation at every level. Emerging artists found space to explore and develop their skills, while experienced ceramicists benefited from professional-grade facilities and open studio access. The studio now serves as both a creative workspace and a learning environment—supporting artistic growth, experimentation, and connection.
Organizational Capacity & Sustainability
This year marked an important investment in the Art League’s long-term strength. With added professional leadership and improved systems for finance, governance, and operations, the organization strengthened its ability to manage growth responsibly. These behind-the-scenes improvements—often made possible through unrestricted support—provide stability, improve planning, and ensure that programs, facilities, and people are supported in a sustainable way.
Youth & Community Programs
The Art League expanded its commitment to arts education and community engagement by launching new youth programs, workshops, and learning opportunities designed to serve a broader cross-section of our community. Through partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations, we extended access to creative experiences for individuals and families who might not otherwise have opportunities to participate. These programs help nurture creativity, build confidence, and strengthen connections across generations.
Recovery & Resilience
Throughout the year, the Art League continued to navigate the lingering impacts of Hurricane Helene with flexibility and resolve. By adapting programming, managing uncertainty, and remaining focused on our mission, we rebuilt momentum while maintaining program quality and community trust. The resilience shown by artists, staff, volunteers, and supporters reaffirmed the Art League’s role as a steady and responsive presence in challenging times.
Why Unrestricted Support Matters
Unrestricted funding is the foundation that makes everything else possible. It is the flexible support that allows the Art League of Henderson County to operate with stability, respond with agility, and plan with intention.
Unlike restricted program funding, unrestricted support strengthens the entire organization. It allows us to keep the gallery doors open and the lights on, ensuring that exhibitions, studios, and community spaces remain accessible year-round. It enables us to retain skilled staff and teaching artists who provide consistency, expertise, and care—building relationships with artists, students, and visitors over time.
Unrestricted funding also gives us the ability to respond quickly when circumstances change. Whether navigating unexpected challenges, addressing urgent facility needs, or adapting programs to meet community demand, flexible support allows us to act responsibly and decisively without disrupting our mission.
Perhaps most importantly, unrestricted support allows us to invest in people, systems, and long-term growth. It supports thoughtful planning, strengthens infrastructure, and creates the capacity needed to say yes to opportunities that expand access, deepen impact, and strengthen the arts ecosystem in Henderson County.
Our patrons don’t simply support individual programs—they provide the stability, flexibility, and confidence that allow the Art League to thrive. Their investment ensures that creativity remains visible, accessible, and valued in our community today and into the future.
Art Place Gallery
730 Locust Street, 7th Avenue District Hendersonville 28782
Open: Wednesday - Thursday 11 AM - 4 PM
Friday & Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM
Stuart Glassman Clay Studio
2015 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville 28791
Open: 24/7 for Clay Studio Members, during classes or by appointment and during Art Place Studios open hours