AVLtoday

2 days ago | avltoday.6amcity.com | Grace Powers

By the end of the summer, there will be a new crown jewel of downtown. Longtime collector Sharon Ryback is opening the Museum of Costume Jewelry at 60 Haywood St., across the street from Pack Memorial Library. From bracelets to brooches and over-the-top bejeweled necklaces, the hundreds of pieces behind the cases largely come from Ryback’s personal collections. For the past 10 years, she’s been planning to open the museum, giving the works of art a new home for others to appreciate.

4 days ago | avltoday.6amcity.com | Grace Powers

Helene felled countless trees across WNC, but local nonprofit Echoes of the Forest is turning them into memorials. In the aftermath of the storm, the group’s founder Liisa Andreassen sought to make lasting tributes to the tragedy, connecting with local woodworkers to create art out of the fallen trees called “echoes.” The group will unveil the first echo on Thursday, June 12, at 5 p.m. at Foundation Woodworks.

5 days ago | avltoday.6amcity.com | Grace Powers

The Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville (RSAA) and Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) are partnering to support long-term recovery efforts in WNC while bringing reparative justice to a historic West Asheville church. The former West Asheville Presbyterian Church at 690 Haywood Rd. will become the future headquarters of RSAA, to aid the organization’s mission of advancing reparative justice and community healing.

1 week ago | avltoday.6amcity.com | Grace Powers

Fitz and the Wolfe has a story to tell. The new bar and music venue occupying the former Isa’s Bistro nods to two important figures in Asheville’s literary history, encapsulating their styles with two floors of nightlife. But with three distinct rooms, you can choose your own adventure. We got a chance to check it out this week. Here’s what to know before the bar hosts its Grand Ole Opening party this Saturday, May 31, celebrating with hours of honky tonk tunes and late night jazz.

1 week ago | avltoday.6amcity.com | Grace Powers

ArtsAVL’s 2025 State of the Arts Brunch earlier this month provided meaningful insight into the recovery of WNC’s creative sector. Since Helene, the organization has distributed more than $1.4 million in Emergency Relief Grants for artists. Here’s a look at how ArtsAVL is utilizing planning, arts tourism, and case studies in its recovery initiatives.