The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League has been active in Western North Carolina for over forty years. Started in 1967 the League’s arts exhibits and programs have set standards of excellence for the area, and our arts education programs have employed some of the area's finest artists, and sculptors, as well as teachers of national reputation.
The inspiration for the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League -- the area's oldest group of community artists -- grew out of a ladies' luncheon back in 1967, at Black Mountain's historic Monte Vista Hotel. It was there that a Mrs. Guilford (a noted artist from Pennsylvania who'd retired to Black Mountain) quickly realized the abundance of creative expression blossoming in her adopted village, and lost no time in urging her fellow artists to form a league of their own.
Black Mountain, NC is at the eastern edge of Buncombe County and has a rich history of being an arts and crafts cultural community. The arts tradition runs deep in Black Mountain inspired by the internationally famous Black Mountain College. For a short time in the middle of the twentieth century a small town in North Carolina became a hub of American cultural production. The town was Black Mountain and the reason was Black Mountain College. Founded in 1933, the school was a reaction to the more traditional schools of the time. At its core was the assumption that a strong liberal and fine arts education must happen simultaneously inside and outside the classroom.
The college closed in 1956 but its influence is evident in the variety and number of studios, galleries and museums in the valley. The arts lover can spend days exploring resources such as the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, the Old Depot Arts and Crafts Center or just browsing the many galleries in town including The Sourwood Gallery, AnTHM Gallery or Seven Sisters Gallery.
Our History
SVFAL Objectives are to provide:
•A setting to cultivate the creative talents of beginning and accomplished artists;
• a permanent and continuous gallery space for member exhibits and receptions;
• a home for operation of the league including classrooms, meeting rooms, and workshop areas;
• and working “entrepreneurial” studio spaces for members where they can also sell their work.
To become a member, please send $35
(payable to SVFAL) to treasurer Stan Skeen,
350 Bee Tree Rd.
Swannanoa NC 28778
Brochure
SVFAL Board
2016-17
Officers
President
Susan Hanning
suehanning@aol.com
Treasurer
Stan & Cathy Skeen
stanskeen@att.net
Secretary
Susan Lueck
susanlueck1@gmail.com
Martha Raines
martyraines@charter.net
Past President
Jack Williams
Board Members
Program Chair
Darcy Orr
Judy Williams
Open Studio Coordinator
Fran Greenburg
greenbergfrances@yahoo.com
Publicity
Cindy Chenard
Website/Newsletter
Karen Paquette
svfal.info@gmail.com
Hospitality Chair
Sylvia McCollum
sambabrn@aol.com
Gallery
Barbara Frohmader
abbisbrush@gmail.com
Membership
Donna Davis
Other
Gallery at Monte Vista
Susan Hanning
Elbow Gallery
Marsha Springs
springsmarsha@gmail.com
Gayle Flickinger
GGFlickinger@gmail.com
Librarian
Faye Barwick
cfaithgo@gmail.com
Historian
Open
Maintenance
Jack Williams
color.quill2@yahoo.com
Groundskeeper
Susan Shaw
Finance Committee
Ron Maffett, Susan Lueck, Susan Shaw, Cathy Skeen
Studio Coordinator
Cathy Skeen
Lake Tomahawk is just a short walk from
The Red House Studios and Gallery
Check out this link to find out more about
We are located next to the historic
Monte Vista Hotel on
W. State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Click here for Committee
for Art in Black Mountain
Members FAQ Sheet
About Us
