Asheville Art Museum Celebrates its 75th Anniversary at the 2023 Annual Gala

Asheville, NC - Please join us in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Asheville Art Museum! The Diamond Anniversary is a time to honor our?rich heritage and—more importantly—envision our future as the premier visual arts organization in this vibrant, creative region. Founded in 1948 by a group of local artists to showcase the scope and depth of creativity in Western North Carolina (WNC), the Museum brings art of international significance to the region and encourages lively, diverse dialogue.  

The Museum’s original home was a modest, unheated, three-room building on Charlotte Street, where exhibitions by local painters and sculptors could only be staged in warmer weather. Sunday afternoon receptions gave the community an opportunity to view original art and to listen to artists talk about their work. By the 1950s, the Museum had become an invaluable part of Asheville’s cultural life. It also began acquiring artworks for its Collection.  

Three quarters of a century later, the Museum has evolved into the preeminent cultural and educational hub for WNC—welcoming tens of thousands of visitors annually, hosting 8-10 major exhibitions and several smaller ones each year, holding scores of special programs, and housing its Collection of more than 7,500 works in its state-of-the-art Pack Square location. From its humble beginnings on Charlotte Street to its breathtaking permanent home in the heart of downtown Asheville, the Museum has remained dedicated to its mission to engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich the community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Asheville Art Museum was built, cherished, and supported by the community throughout the past 75 years. The anniversary celebration will give back through community partnerships and special programs, and by creating new reasons to visit or become a Member. The Museum’s annual Gala on June 17 will serve as the kickoff event for the year’s festivities, including celebratory programs, exhibitions, community days, and more.