Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

Asheville artists are the star of a recent National Geographic travel article, and the city itself was praised as "an experimental epicenter" of "visual arts, cool crafts, funky music, theater (and) film."

The article opens with local potter Josh Copus, unearthing his own wild clay at sunrise. Then, the story broadens to other fixtures in the River Arts District: blacksmith Zachary Noble, painter Daniel McClendon, clothing designer Anna Toth of Bow and Arrow Apparel.

"Reinventing the rules is an Asheville tradition," wrote author Andrew Evans, before mentioning Black Mountain College, its legendary alumni and museum.

The Asheville Art Museum houses a "brilliant array of North Carolina folk art, portraits, photography and sculpture," he wrote. And the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design "supports the work of the region's up-and-coming artists, ... filled with provocative pieces by some of the world's leading innovators in today's maker movement."

Even Asheville souvenirs get a shout out, and the author directs visitors to downtown's Horse and Hero, Mora Collection and the Grove Arcade.

For some interesting architecture and "other art deco splendors," visit Douglas Ellington's First Baptist Church, City Hall or the Asheville Citizen-Times.

The story sums up with Asheville's most famous attraction, the Biltmore Estate, which houses the Vanderbilts' private art collection.

"Asheville remains a city that draws in some of the most creative people in the United States," Evans wrote.

Thanks for the glowing review, National Geographic! We like it here too.