ART & DESIGN IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

June 3-6, 2010
Sponsored by The Newark Museum
SOLD OUT



The Newark Museum’s early summer tour to the beautiful mountain town of Asheville  focuses on the distinctive art and crafts of the region.  Travel on Continental Airlines from Newark, stay in the 4 star star Renaissance hotel in the heart of town, tour Biltmore Estate, historic houses and museums to explore southern history.



Our “all inclusive” four day early June trip to the glorious Blue Ridge mountain town of Asheville will appeal to lovers of art, crafts and design. The Asheville arts scene is buzzing, featuring hundreds of fine artists, mountain crafters, folk artists, hip arts neighborhoods and numerous art galleries. Our tour explores the richness in culture and history of western North Carolina. The trip highlight is a private after-hours tour at the elegant Biltmore Estate. We visit thriving arts districts, co-ops, and studios throughout the region.  This is the ideal time to explore this majestic mountain setting.    






1.  Thursday, June 3     Asheville
We depart Newark at 9:00am on Continental Airlines, non-stop to Asheville, arriving at 11:00am.  After lunch we visit the Folk Art Center at the Southern Highland Craft Guild.   The center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians and is located on America’s favorite drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Center is the home of the, the second oldest artisans’ guild in the United States representing over 800 crafts people. The Folk Art Center offers an opportunity to experience Appalachian culture and craft through the exhibitions and craft shop. On exhibit are approximately 200 works featuring the best of traditional woodcarving, textiles, furniture, basketry, pottery, dolls, and other crafts of Southern Appalachia, dating from 1855 to the late 20th century. We check into the Marriott Hotel Renaissance located in the heart of the city.  We enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening. (LUNCH & DINNER)



2.  Friday, June 4     Biltmore Estate
On a walking tour of the downtown we step back in time to glimpse the visible remnants of Asheville's past.  Highlights include the home of the author Thomas Wolfe and the Young Men’s Institute, now known as the YMI Center.  Recognizing the need for a social hub to serve the flourishing African American community, George Vanderbilt commissioned in 1892 the construction of the Tudor-style building, offering enlightening programs, events, and exhibitions that continue today. Our tour of the Asheville Arts Museum focuses on the work of regional artists. In the afternoon we have lunch at the Deer Park Inn at the Biltmore, George Vanderbilt’s 250-room home and country retreat, filled with priceless art. We spend time strolling the stunning garden and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.  We have a late afternoon private insider tour of the extraordinary French Renaissance-style chateau built in the early 1890s by the grandson of the railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. America's largest home boasts 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley, priceless art and antiques. We have dinner together tonight. (BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)



3.  Saturday, June 5     Asheville
Asheville boasts dozens of private, architecturally significant homes, many of which have been featured on HGTV. Few American cities offer as large a collection of Art Deco Architecture. Our guided tour includes an inside look at the Smith-McDowell House,  the National Register property which was once the home of a Confederate Major. We visit the Asheville River Arts District, the hip and upcoming warehouse-turned-art-district in Asheville.  The River Arts District, filled with dozens of working art studios, is one of the Asheville area's unique arts neighborhoods. We visit several galleries and an artist’s studio.  We have LUNCH at the historic Grove Park Inn, a landmark 1913 Inn, built of massive boulders.  Savor selections from the extensive buffet while overlooking the Asheville skyline, and, the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains that give the Dining Room its name. In the afternoon enjoy the hospitality and tranquility of Historic Hendersonville and the Village of Flat Rock nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in Western North Carolina. Downtown Hendersonville was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March of 1988. The serpentine street features planter boxes brimming with seasonal flowers and trees.  We tour the home of Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer, where he spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life.  This National Historic Site offers a keen insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family and their 240 acre working farm. The Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and now houses his collection of 10,000 books, notes and papers. The views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular here.  After dinner at a lakeside Inn, we see For The Glory, A Civil War Musical, produced at The State Theatre of North Carolina, Flat Rock Playhouse. There is a reason why this score was recorded by international recording stars  Patti Labelle  and Betty Buckley. With a distinctively American voice and an emphasis on traditional story-telling, For The Glory is a modern exploration of the humanity of ordinary people who experienced extraordinary things in the name of freedom.  (BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)



4.  Sunday, June 6     Depart
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and depart for the Asheville airport for our non-stop Continental flight at 1155am, and arrive in Newark at 1:50pm (BREAKFAST)





This engaging experience includes:

  • Airfare: Round trip air EWR/Asheville (Continental Airlines)
  • Accommodations: 3 nights at the 4 star Renaissance Hotel
  • Touring coach for 4 days as per itinerary provided, pick-up and drop off at the airport.
  • All Meals: Breakfast daily, 3 dinners, 3 lunches, 1 Brunch
  • Entrances as per itinerary
  • Tips & Gratuities to guide and coach driver
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $1699  
Single Supplement: $350