What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 5pm Tuesday 11am - 5pm Wednesday 11am - 6pm Thursday 11am - 6pm Friday 11am - 6pm Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 5pm

Blue Spiral 1

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Fine Art + Craft
(319)

10/12/2026

There is something quietly extraordinary about the way Charles Goolsby sees the world.

A landscape transformed by shifting light, the subtle movement of clouds, the changing colors of a season. Goolsby finds beauty in moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed, revealing the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Working in oil, he brings a remarkable sensitivity to atmosphere, color, and the interplay of light and shadow. His compositions balance careful observation with expressive brushwork, capturing not just the appearance of a place, but the particular feeling of being there.

FEATURED WORK:

Deerfield Edge
Painting
36 x 48 inches

10/08/2026

We wrap up this round of our Ask the Artist series with Diana Hoover, whose colorful, patterned ceramic works are featured in HOT POTS: Contemporary Clay.

We encouraged Diana to work on a larger scale for this exhibition, and it’s been exciting to see how she’s carried her use of color and pattern into these new pieces. Read on for a little more about her work and approach.

WHAT IS THE “SPARK” BEHIND YOUR PRACTICE RIGHT NOW?

I use masking tape and underglaze to paint repeated patterns and bold graphics on the surfaces of my pots–I love seeing how these patterns and shapes distort across the curves of the 3-dimensional forms. Lately, I have been really inspired by weaving patterns. Over the summer, I took a hand drafting class, and the concept of color and weave blew my mind. Since then, I have been hand drafting my own patterns and painting them on my pots.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Definitely my dog, Lou! She is a dream.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I wheel-throw and hand-paint each piece, so no two pieces are alike.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

Whenever I sit down at the wheel, I’ve planned out the form and dimensions of what I want to make. It’s really satisfying to hold myself to making what I planned!

FEATURED WORK:

Verge
Ceramic
15 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches

10/07/2026

Mat Wheeler’s vessels feel familiar and wonderfully unexpected, with curves, handles, and spouts that suggest shoulders, limbs, and other echoes of the body. Through his ongoing exploration of reduction-cooled soda firing, he develops surfaces that range from soft and atmospheric to glossy, smoky, or metallic. Read on as Mat shares a little about his work and process.

DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS.

Spontaneity, Anthropomorphic, Giggles

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I use/rely on my Sherrill Mudtools Very Soft Potters Rib (red) as the primary tool to produce the fluid and curvaceous volumes in my pieces. The compromise between flexibility and stability of this tool helps me create the soft fullness prominent in these pieces.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR WORK?

Each pot is made in the moment, every manipulation is a response to what came before not following a directive. As I work the piece each undulation is seen independently and as it relates to each other moment in the vessel. This sense of unknown is at its crescendo when I create the lip. I continually find myself trying to “solve this problem” when I’m finishing these forms.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

While these pieces are in process, I will step away and inspect where the form is currently at that moment. I often start laughing as I see different humorous moments or attitudes that emerge in the bumps and folds of the piece.

FEATURED WORK:

Sassy Vassy
Ceramic
16 x 10 x 9 inches

10/06/2026

A scribble, a sweeping line, a cluster of shapes: Barbara Fisher makes every mark count.

Her paintings have their own lively language, with gestural lines and curious forms drifting, gathering, and intersecting across atmospheric fields of color. There’s a sense of thought in motion, with each mark contributing to a conversation that feels spontaneous and full of possibility.

We love seeing visitors drawn to her work and watching where their attention goes. There is so much for the eye to follow, and room for each person to make their own associations. A shape, a passage of color, or an unexpected meeting of lines can become the beginning of a very personal connection.

We have two new paintings by Barbara in the gallery. These are the perfect size for those of you who are looking for a small work (or two!) to add to your collection.

FEATURED WORK:

Equation.1
Painting
12 x 12 x 2 inches

Equation.3
Painting
12 x 12 x 2 inches

10/05/2026

Next in our Ask the Artist series is Maggie Jaszczak, whose quiet, elegant ceramic works are featured in HOT POTS: Contemporary Clay. Her subdued palette and thoughtful forms bring a beautiful presence to the exhibition. Read on as Maggie shares a little about her work and approach.

WHAT IS THE “SPARK” BEHIND YOUR PRACTICE RIGHT NOW?

The spark bound my practice right now is, and has been, threefold - basic geometric shapes and what I can do with them, folk art, and primitive functional objects.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Windows!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

My favorite part of making a new piece is the final cleaning up stage in green-ware - after I have worked through the initial excitement of problem solving, and then the the doubting in the middle, the final cleaning-up stage is where the piece actually reveals itself. A finished greenware piece, before it starts drying out, is so satisfying.

FEATURED WORK:

Candle Holder with Loops and Flowers
Ceramic
12.5 x 4.5 x 4.75 inches

10/04/2026

Today we focus our attention on Heidi Tarver, whose colorful, patterned ceramic works are featured in HOT POTS: Contemporary Clay. We asked Heidi a few questions about her work, including the ideas behind those wonderful combinations of color and pattern. Read on for her answers.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL STUDIO DAY LOOK LIKE?

I’m very lucky to have my studio adjacent to my home, so a typical studio day includes working on several pieces at once (printing, forming, firing, glazing, etc.) but also includes doing some dishes, pulling some weeds in the garden, playing with the dog. My studio time is not separate from other parts of my life but integrated into my life.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My colored slips - over 100 colors! - are central to my practice. I’m always experimenting with shade and hue, and new combinations of color.

DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS.

color pattern experiment

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

my favorite part of making a new piece is the reveal that happens when I am printing. Most of my patterns involve 3-5 layers of color, and when the final layer is complete and the pattern is revealed, it’s like opening a gift. I never know exactly how the pattern will look until it is printed on the clay.

FEATURED WORK:

Procession No. 12
Ceramic
6 x 10 x 1 inches

10/03/2026

Next in our Ask the Artist series is Zack Noble, whose solo exhibition, Mass and Line, is on view in our Small Format Gallery. We asked Zack a few questions to learn more about his work and the ideas behind it. Read on for his answers.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Obviously an anvil and a hammer. I know it’s two things but you should not have one without the other. So many things can be done with both.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I wish people better understood the process of forging, but I hope they get a better idea after seeing my work.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

Several things come to mind. The roughing out process of forging can be very exciting as I am not necessarily working to the finished product. I am just moving metal around before I start to refine it. There is something thrilling or very spontaneous about putting a large chunk of metal under the hammer while it’s hot. Everything I do is somewhat planned but those first heats I just sort of get to go for it! And it’s awesome!

FEATURED WORKS:

10” of 2” square
Sculpture
3 x 30.5 x 2.5 inches

12” of 2” square
Sculpture
5 x 32 x 2 inches

9.5” of 2” square
Sculpture
3 x 30.5 x 3 inches

10/02/2026

You often tell us you’d love to know more about the artists behind the work you see in the gallery. So we’re bringing back Ask the Artist, sharing a few questions and answers with artists featured in our current exhibitions. It’s a chance to learn a little more about their ideas, inspirations, and how they work.

We’re kicking things off with mixed media painter Katie Walker, whose current solo exhibition, Laying it on the Line, is on view in our Showcase Gallery. Read on for a few insights from Katie about her work and what goes into making it.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE THING IN YOUR STUDIO TO NEVER BE WITHOUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My staple gun!

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR WORK?

How physical it is.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING A NEW PIECE?

The opportunity for discovery. The possibility of learning something new.

FEATURED WORK:
Round em up, Stock em up, Pile em up
Painting
13 x 13 x 2 inches

You’ve got just a few weeks left to catch Katie’s solo exhibition. We’re open every single day.

10/01/2026

REMINDER: ONE WEEK AWAY

BLUE SPIRAL 1 CERAMICS MIXER

Thursday, October 8
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Blue Spiral 1

We’re bringing together ceramic artists, collectors, educators, students, and clay enthusiasts for a relaxed evening of drinks, conversation, and connection. Meet some of the artists whose work fills the gallery, connect with fellow members of our creative community, and explore HOT POTS: Contemporary Clay, along with exceptional ceramic works throughout the building.

Whether you make it, collect it, teach it, study it, or simply love it, come raise a glass to contemporary ceramics and the community that surrounds it.

This event is free and open to the public. We’ll see you there.

09/30/2026

NEW WORK!

George Peterson’s newest work arrived yesterday, introducing a striking cutout element to his signature use of recycled skateboards and their brightly colored printed surfaces. This new direction brings fresh energy to materials that have become such a recognizable part of his work.

One of the most rewarding parts of our work as a gallery is supporting an artist’s creative explorations and connecting those discoveries with an audience that appreciates and champions them. We’re excited to share this latest development in George’s work with you.

The piece is now featured in our Main Gallery. We hope you’ll visit soon to experience its form, color, and detail in person.

And there’s more: we also received a fresh batch of new individual skateboards from George’s Lingo series! If you’ve been waiting for new works to arrive, this is a wonderful time to explore the selection.

FEATURED WORK:

Wires Crossed
Sculpture
20 x 20 x 6 inches

Address

38 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 5pm
Tuesday	11am - 5pm
Wednesday	11am - 6pm
Thursday	11am - 6pm
Friday	11am - 6pm
Saturday	11am - 6pm
Sunday	11am - 5pm

Telephone

+18282510202

Website

http://www.bluespiral1.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blue Spiral 1 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Blue Spiral 1:

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Asheville?