Happy Wednesday, Buncombe County!

💡 Buncombe Fact: The French Broad River flows north instead of south, unusual for major U.S. rivers east of the Mississippi.

Which means if you’ve ever felt like Buncombe County does things a little differently, even the river agrees.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Kolina

In Buncombe County, craft has never just been decorative. It’s practical, personal, and often deeply connected to community. The Center for Craft’s newest exhibition, Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft, explores how artists and makers use their work to respond to real-world issues and strengthen local connections.

This opening reception isn’t just about viewing art on a wall. It’s about conversation. Expect work that blends creativity with purpose, highlighting how craft traditions can spark dialogue, preserve stories, and build something lasting beyond the object itself.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to spend a Friday evening, this one checks the box. It’s downtown, it’s free, and it’s supporting emerging curators.

📍 Where: Center for Craft, Bresler Family Gallery
📅 When: Starting Friday, Feb 27 | 5:30–7:30pm
💲 Price: Free

Learn More

The River Arts District continues its steady evolution. The RADA Foundation has shared plans for a future RAD Creative Campus that would include studio space, classrooms, gallery areas, and maker-focused facilities. This isn’t a “go tonight” event, but it is a meaningful development for the arts community and a great update for all of us.

For those who care about where Asheville’s creative backbone is headed, this signals thoughtful, long-term investment in local artists and cultural growth.

📍 Where: River Arts District
📅 When: Plans recently announced

Follow the Updates

If you’ve ever wandered a museum and wished someone would connect the dots for you, this may be right up your alley. The Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874 explores the radical beginnings of the Impressionist movement through a cinematic lens, blending art history with stunning close-up visuals of the works themselves. Perfect for art lovers or anyone craving something a little more reflective.

📍 Where: Asheville Art Museum
📅 When: March 1st | 2pm - 4pm
💲 Price: $12 for Members; $15 for non-members (does not include Museum admission)

Get Tickets

Late winter is the quiet prep season in the mountains, and if you’ve got fruit trees that are looking more tangled than thriving, this could be a great help. This free, hands-on pruning workshop walks through when to cut, what to remove, and how to shape your trees for healthier growth come spring. It’s useful and rooted in our specific mountain climate. Even if you’re new to gardening, you’ll walk away with skills you can use for years. Sometimes the best winter plans are the ones that pay off in summer peaches.

📍 Where: Tempie Avery Community Center 34 Pearson Dr
📅 When: Saturday, February 28th | 1pm
💲 Price: Free

Register

If you’re already thinking about a small-town afternoon escape, Black Mountain delivers. Oak & Grist offers guided tours that walk you through their grain-to-glass distilling process, followed by a tasting of their house spirits. The setting is relaxed in that unmistakable mountain way. Pair it with a stroll downtown and you’ve got a solid Saturday plan.

📍 Where: Oak & Grist Distilling Company, Black Mountain
📅 When: Wed–Sat tours available
💲 Price: $20

Book Tour

Western North Carolina’s food scene doesn’t just happen. It’s built season by season, farm by farm. ASAP’s annual Business of Farming Conference brings together regional growers, food producers, and agricultural leaders for a full day of workshops, resources, and conversations about sustaining local farms in today’s economy.

Even if you’re not a farmer, it’s a reminder of how much intention and effort goes into the produce at your market or the ingredients on your plate. Events like this quietly shape the future of our local food system.

📍 Where: A-B Tech Conference Hall, Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, Feb 28 | 8am–4pm
💲 Price: Ticketed

More Info

There’s something about a final home game that carries a little extra energy. UNC Asheville wraps up its home season this week, and it’s a good excuse to show up and support the Bulldogs before tournament play begins. Expect a lively crowd, school spirit, and that familiar hum of a community rallying around something local.

📍 Where: Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, February 28th | 2pm
💲 Price: Ticketed

Basketball Homepage

😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Cranberry-Orange Nut Bread - a moist, tender quick bread that perfectly balances bright, zesty citrus flavors with bursts of tart cranberries and the satisfying crunch of walnuts.

🎵 Who we are listening to: Brazil - Declan McKenna. Has an infectious, indie-pop melody and lo-fi guitar riff and will be a perfect tune as spring approaches.

🎁 Local small business highlight: Olive This! - Artisan olive oils, vinegars & gourmet pantry goods.

🥇 Congrats to both men’s and women’s USA hockey teams in capturing gold at the olympics! We found our favorite kids hockey Activity Book to keep the good times rolling.

👩‍🌾 Animal Haven of Asheville - an organization that provides protection and refuge to homeless and abused animals. A great place to visit, volunteer and attend events.

🙏 Positive News: From rescue to forever home. A little goldendoodle has a brighter future ahead of him after abusive treatment by his owner saw her arrested, and an officer leap at the chance to adopt. Read Article

✨ Be where your feet are.

As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.

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