VOLU M E T H R E E
asheville NORTH CAROLINA
,
illustration by Macon York
FEATURES
cover photo by Carolyn Stotts
VOLUME THREE
22
DONUTS FOR ASHEVILLE
36
A CHERRY BY ANY OTHER NAME
42
CARVING HER PATH
54
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
62
SEEKING SHELTER
76
SENDING SIGNALS
EVERY ISSUE 2 Map 11 Editor’s letter 12 Contributors 34 Happy Hour 72 Style Profile 90 Stylish Streets 96 City Guide 99 Sister City
press play The musical stylings of Asheville’s grooviest folks, as curated by local native Joe Chang, current member of the group Gold Light.
1. Stormy Weather, Reigning Sound 2. So Far Away, Axxa/Abraxas 3. Heart Is, The Tills 4. Sea Level, Joshua Carpenter 5. Angel Band, Tyler Ramsey 6. Miranda, Angel Olsen 7. Don’t Wake Me, Floating Action 8. Nesting Grounds, Villagers 9. Burlington Coke Factory, Nest Egg 10. Milkman, Hello Hugo 11. Our Love Was a Crime, Alligator Indian 12. Cashing In, The Hermit Kings 13. Blind Way, Ahleuchatistas 14. Unfound Door, River Whyless 15. Our Time, Minorcan 16. Swannanoa Tunnel, Bascom Lamar Lunsford
TEAM WONDERFILLED KELLEY ENGELBRECHT Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief JULIA ENGELBRECHT Co-Founder JOE PERKINS Copy Editor
CARRIE KROCHTA Copy Editor
ON THE COVER We fell in love with Carolyn Stotts’ photograph of Asheville band, the Resonant Rogues, the moment we saw it: mountains & music? It doesn’t get much better than that. This year they released their new album, Here & Gone Again. Described as a blend of gypsy jazz and Balkan music with American folk traditions, they’ll keep your toes a-tapping..
GIVE THEM A LISTEN!
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WONDERFILLEDMAG.COM Explore & discover; seek adventure wherever you stand.
photo by Megan Leigh Barnard photo by Chelsea Lane
hello! I love everything about a good road trip: The thrill of discovering something new (mile-by-mile), Epic playlists, Truck-stop snacks, Taking the road less travelled – the list goes on. So you can imagine my excitement when we planned to hit the road and visit our Volume Three city, Asheville. Asheville, as it turns out, is the perfect road trip destination – especially if you’re coming from the flat planes of Ohio. As the soft Appalachian peaks welcomed us, I knew we were someplace special. And let me tell you, those mountains were only the beginning. We met amazing people, some of whom you’ll read about in this issue; we tasted delicious, locally sourced food; and we drank artfully crafted brews from the myriad of microbreweries the town boasts. Asheville is an incredible town for many reasons (some of which I listed above), but one thing that makes it really stand out was how people are reinventing the norm. We discovered quickly that our standard categories of food, craft & design are flipped on their head in this town. Food is an art form; design is artfully constructed; and craftsmanship is seen across all disciplines – from the studio to the hiking trails. It was hard not to leave feeling inspired. I’m so excited to share this new volume, filled with stories and people who are doing incredible things in Asheville. My hope is that you’ll feel inspired to look at life from a new vantage point and switch up your perspective – I know I was.
editor photo by Thea Bergstedt
JEN NATHAN ORRIS @JENATHAN
RICH ORRIS @RORRIS
ASHLEY LITTLE @ AFEISTYREDHEAD
LESLIE FREMPONG @PCHOBERRY
CONTRIBUTORS
ALLISON MANNELLA @ALLISONMANNELLA
CHELSEA LANE @ _CHELSEALANE_
JOE PERKINS @UNLYSTED
SARAH GROSH @ THE_ART_FEMME
MACON YORK @ MACONYORK
CAROLYN STOTTS @CAROLYNMARIEPHOTOGRAPHY
@leahbeilhart
@l5alive
@sketchbookcrafts
@pendlandschool
#DAILYWONDER A daily dose of inspiration from a few of our favorite Asheville instragrammers
@melstanfield
@melissaweisspottery
@highfivecoffee
@lydiasee
Show us your everyday lovelies with #DAILYWONDER and you could be in our next issue!
THE PERFECT DAY by Macon York
Every day in Asheville feels like a perfect day to me. I absolutely love it here and can’t think of any place I’d rather live. The friendly community, the majestic mountains in the distance, and the quirky, artsy vibe are what make Asheville so special.
I wake up early and go to CARRIER PARK to attend a morning class with the Ladies Gun Club, a local women’s fitness program run by Teah Boswell. We meet for an hour in the mornings for challenging but fun workout. After heading home for a quick shower, I treat myself to an Americano and blueberry bagel at ODD’S
CAFÉ.
@oddscafe
I stroll over to East West Asheville to peruse the new and vintage vinyl collection at HARVEST RECORDS. I love looking through the greeting card collection at WHIST - something in there makes me laugh out loud every time. Further down the street, I pop into my favorite garden and homesteading shop, VILLAGERS – there’s a calming earthiness that I love about this store. On the corner of Haywood Road, I pick up a cupcake at SHORT STREET CAKES, my favorite bakery in town.
@forvillagers
For lunch, I dine at CHAI PANI. They serve Indian street food that is eclectic and full of rich spices. Their slogan is “Namaste y’all,” which is apparent in the friendly service.
@harvestrecordsavl
@forvillagers
After lunch, I am excited to make the rounds to my favorite local shops. I start at HORSE AND HERO. The owners Brandy and Justin are the same wonderful people that organize The Big Crafty twice a year – an indie arts and crafts fair drawing artists from all over the Southeast. I cruise down Lexington Avenue and head into DUNCAN & YORK, a charming and stylish gift shop. I also love OLD NORTH, a well-curated collection of well-designed apparel and accessories. MINX is my go-to spot for cute dresses.
@whistshop
Later, I head down to a newly revitalized area of town, South Slope, which is just south of downtown. BLACKBERG CREATIVE is a new shop that sells craft supplies, in addition to hosting workshops and renting studio space for sewing and crafting. There are a lot of new breweries in this neck of the woods; I love the beer and atmosphere at BURIAL
BREWING CO.
@minxasheville Before dinner, I enjoy a cocktail at the SOCIAL LOUNGE. I recently discovered this gem, and am so glad I did - the rooftop bar feels like a secret garden overlooking Broadway. To end the day, my favorite spot for dinner is RHUBARB in downtown Asheville. They offer authentic Appalachian cuisine with an elegant presentation. d
@chaipani
@blackbergcreative
@oldnorth
@rhubarbavl
@horseandhero
FOOD Get a taste of the city
photo by Ryan Miller
Doughnuts for
Asheville by Jen Nathan Orris | Photos by Rich Orris
It all starts at 6 a.m. Caroline Whatley unlocks the doors to HOLE Hot Doughnuts and Fresh Coffee just as morning light creeps into the sky. Coowner Kim Dryden is quick to follow, immediately putting freshly ground beans into the coffee maker. There is both an urgency and a rhythm to their work. The first thing they do in the morning is prepare the next day’s dough. It’s a process that requires patience and a little luck, since each morning’s doughnuts depend on yesterday’s success. Next, Whatley pulls the previous day’s dough from the fridge and begins to shape it so that it has time to proof, or rise before it hits the fryer. “That’s the trick to this business, to keep the doughnuts proofed throughout the day, whether it’s slammed busy or really slow,” says Whatley. More often than not, this new addition to West Asheville’s sweets scene is dense with customers when the doors open at 7:30 a.m. For many years, doughnuts in Asheville were as elusive as the mythical wampus cat that is believed to roam this region of Appalachia. Glimpses were caught of both fabled creatures, but they seemed to disappear into the ether when pinned down.
Rumors swirled around an Asheville sandwich
Enter HOLE Hot Doughnuts and Fresh Coffee. It is
shop that served just four dozen doughnuts each
exactly what its name suggests: Coffee, and just four
Wednesday; speculation surrounded a breakfast joint
flavors of yeast doughnuts per day, each served hot
that occasionally made doughnuts out of its
and often made-to-order. Each week features one
biscuit dough.
creative glaze, like coconut lime or rosemary bourbon, but the real star is its vanilla glazed doughnut, which is
Given the national craze surrounding craft doughnuts,
deceptively simple until you take the first sweet,
Whatley and Dryden were surprised that Asheville
flakey bite.
didn’t have a reliable, independent source for these coveted rounds of dough.
Fresh doughnuts harken back to Whatley’s earliest childhood memories. “Most people have some sort
“Asheville, for some reason, just seemed a little slow
of nostalgia with doughnuts from when they were
on the uptake. There’s these little pockets, but surely
growing up,” she says as she recalls Sunday morning
there’s a need,” recalls Whatley. “No one’s doing it fully.”
family trips to a treasured doughnut shop in her hometown of Baton Rouge, La.
Dryden and Whatley conducted months of research to find a viable model for a smallscale doughnut shop, seeking out inspiration in Carolina Beach and Johnson City, Tennessee. The pair had fresh eyes for doughnuts, after achieving significant success as pizza mavens. Their first venture was Tin Can Pizzaria, a much beloved food truck that served just a few kinds of pizza each week. Sometimes fresh peaches and balsamic graced the crispy, chewy dough; other weeks they kept it classic with the freshest tomatoes and mozzerella available. Simplicity is an ethos that continues to serve Dryden and Whatley well. “The pizza truck gave Kim and I confidence that we could do something in the food industry in a town that was food obsessed,� Whatley explains. After handing off the pizza business to new owners, the pair considered another mobile venture. If pizza can thrive on wheels, why not doughnuts? It was a promising idea that took shape in the form of a 1970 converted mail truck painted powder blue. Ultimately, they decided to pursue their first brick-and-mortar shop on busy Haywood Road in West Asheville instead; the doughnut truck still welcomes visitors as they enter the parking lot. Children climb in to peer out the windows as they eat their doughnuts; hipsters pose for pictures by the hood.
The small shop feels open and airy inside. The sleek, meticulously clean fryers are in clear view when customers walk in the door. There’s no hiding behind kitchen walls or back rooms. The doughnuts are made in the light of day while customers wait. “For the most part, people like watching it,” says Whatley. “I think some people come in expecting to get doughnuts out of a case, but then you see their expression change when they’re actually watching you do it.” Doughnuts are slowly but surely creeping into Asheville’s culture – no small feat in a Southern town deeply devoted to biscuits. Another doughnut shop opened in town shortly after HOLE, featuring a veritable rainbow of flavors. Their flashy doughnuts with mounds of toppings are increasingly popular with tourists, but real aficionados head west to HOLE. Whatley and Dryden are appropriately modest, but the line out their door on a typical Sunday morning reveals a town that is eager to embrace their version of simple doughnut wisdom. Asheville is ready for doughnuts, and HOLE is listening. d
photos by Chelsea Lane
HAPPY HOUR photos by Kelley Engelbrecht
THE PLACE: The Wedge Brewing Company THE DRINK: A flight of their finest brews GO HERE IF you have a thing for steampunkinspired decor, love a good cornhole tournament (they’ve got boards) and appreciate a strong IPA
A Cherry
by Any Other Name by Jen Nathan Orris | photos by Rich Orris
Picture an elegant Manhattan in a chilled cocktail glass. The beverage is smooth yet aromatic, with a sweetness that offsets the smoky flavor of the bourbon. Maraschino cherries have graced the bottom of the glass since the 1890s when the drink reached its first heyday. Those original cherries were dark and lush with naturally sweet flavor. In recent decades, those stellar cherries have been replaced with bright red, high fructose corn syrup imposters. It’s surprisingly easy to make authentic maraschino cherries at home. Add this clever bar trick to your repertoire to incorporate luxurious flavor into each cocktail you mix up.
What if you could make packaged pantry food from scratch? That’s what husband-wife duo Rich Orris & Jen Nathan Orris try to answer in their Asheville column (appropriately named) From Scratch. Artists, writers & homesteaders, their recipes give a taste of Asheville’s current palate for fresh whole foods.
HOMEMADE MARASCHINO CHERRIES 1 pint cherries, pitted with stems kept on 1 cup maraschino cherry liqueur Bring liqueur to a simmer in a medium pot Turn off heat and add cherries Let cool completely and pack cherries and liquid into a jar Refrigerate for at least two weeks and enjoy
HELPFUL TIPS: • Fresh sour cherries are best. Fresh or frozen bing cherries work, too. • Luxardo brand maraschino cherry liqueur is excellent. • Pitting the cherries from the side retains the stem. • Cherries in their liquid will stay fresh in the fridge for months. d
CRAFT Meet the movers and the makers
photo by Chelsea Lane Photography
CARVIN PATH by Kelley Engelbrecht | photos by Chelsea Lane & Joe Perkins
NG HER
In the early morning, as you begin your ascent of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the cloud-rise above the mountains, you’ll be spellbound by the layers of peeks and summits contrasting starkly against the steel gray sky.
The Appalachian Mountains are shroud in mystery and legend. Home of the eponymously named Appalachian Trail, they sing their siren song to anyone who will listen, welcoming folks from all walks of life, regardless of age or race. In these mountains - as with most wild, wonderful places - nature is the great equalizer. Just ask Jennifer Pharr Davis, the fastest woman to hike their veritable hills under a thick canopy of rhododendron and pine. Jennifer first came to these mountains as a young college graduate. As with most who’ve hiked the trail, the lure of the Appalachians was hard to ignore. While Jennifer had grown up in their shadows (in Hendersonville, North Carolina), it was not until she left for college that she realized how important they were to her cultural identity. When Jennifer was 21, she decided to not only reclaim her Appalachian heritage, but to also truly know and understand it, one blistering step at a time.
Here’s the thing about hiking that you don’t realize until you’ve walked a few miles – you can’t get enough. After her initial journey on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer has since retraced her steps two additional times, setting speed records and connecting to the trail in new ways since that inaugural hike. And she’s felt the truth that most hikers will tell you: whether in the Appalachians or the Sierras, the trail gives you what you need. “The trail is an equitable environment,” she says. “You go into the wilderness and it’s about intelligence and consistency, not about who’s strongest or fastest or works a certain way.” For Jennifer, the initial lessons were those of introspection, self-discovery, and maturity. As it’s apt to do, the trail broke down preconceptions and societal norms, giving her the tools to, quite literally, carve out her own path after she completed the trail. In 2008, Jennifer founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company, making the mountains more accessible to outsiders. The city is uniquely positioned to be a headquarters for mountain adventure. Close to major metropolitan centers (D.C. comes to mind), they attract beginners who didn’t necessarily grow up with an outdoor mentality. The outdoors doesn’t feel as intuitive to the Southeast, even more so when compared to the Pacific Northwest, and for the company, this is the exciting part.
“I was reminded how diverse and unique our contury is, and how our history is one built on triumpth, tragedy and a lot of walking� - Jennifer Pharr Davis, Finding Odessa
“The trail is an equitable environment. You go into the wilderness and it’s about intelligence and consistency, not about who’s strongest or fastest or works a certain way.” For some of their clientele, going on a hike can feel foreign - and sometimes downright scary - something Jennifer can remember acutely when she began that first ascent 14 years ago. Surrounded by the Appalachians, the Smoky Mountains and the Black Mountain Range, situated squarely between 16,000 foot mountains, Asheville is where it all begins. This is the starting place for all of their hikes, dictated in part by the hikers themselves. “We don’t want to emotionally regulate the wilderness,” she reflects. “We want people to connect with nature how they want.” Perhaps not just to connect, but to appreciate, as well. As commerce and commercialism continue to impact these untouched lands, preservation is critical. As the Appalachian Trail is diverse in both its breadth and scope, the challenges can be uniquely difficult. “In order to be a steward of the land, you need to have a connection with the outdoors. I want to manage the impact of people on the trail. But at the end of the day, it’s better to get people on the trail to fight the encroaching building and technology.”
After her marriage, the mountains became more relational; and with motherhood, more spiritual. As life ebbs and flows, the mountains can offer a retreat into simple slowness; and when the time allows, an adventure just the same. Jennifer and her husband have traveled the world to explore the weathered beauty of different mountains – rugged and beautiful in Corsica, France; phenomenal and diverse in Iceland; ancient and timeless in Peru. But, at the end of the day, the Appalachians are still home. The peaks may not be as impressive as those out west, but the vastness of the Rockies and Sierras are exchanged for the dense biodiversity of the Appalachians. As some of the oldest in the world, these wise, maternal mountains welcome all who answer their call, encouraging every hiker to build their own path on and off the trail. d
FAVORITE HIKES • Mountain to Sea Trail: “It runs through south Asheville, going a couple hundred miles in each direction. It’s a great escape that’s close to the city.” • Mt. Mitchell: “I go here if I have a half day. It has climate zones that are rare in the Southeast. The top of the mountain is covered in evergreens - it smells like Christmas trees!”
photos of an Asheville gathering by Chelsea Lane
Through the
Looking Glass by Ashley Little | photos by Chelsea Lane
Arlie Trowbridge has always been an entrepreneur.
With the change in materials also came a change in
If you knew her when she was a kid, it’s likely you
perspective. Arlie changed the name of her business
booked a manicure session with her traveling nail salon
to her own name, Arlie Trowbridge. “I think once I
business. She always toted her manicure kit when visiting
considered myself more of an artist and not someone
family and friends, offering manicures to everyone –
building a brand, [the name change] felt necessary,” she
including her grandfather.
says.
The manicure business has since faded, but in 2009
When you look at Arlie’s glass, it seems impossible that
Arlie put her enthusiasm for small business to work
each piece began as a simple rod. The glass pieces are
when she started an Etsy shop, Urban Revisions. The
created with a process called flameworking, which uses
shop originally sold t-shirts upcycled into dresses and
borosilicate glass, a strong material similar to Pyrex
scarves, but it underwent a huge transformation after a
which Arlie melts and shapes. Pieces then go into a kiln
flamework glass class that Arlie says totally changed her
to anneal and prevent cracking.
perspective on craft. She said good-bye to textiles and began exclusively selling glass jewelry, home decor and
Removing the pieces from the kiln is Arlie’s favorite
sculptures.
part of glass making. “It’s a mesmerizing process. I love
unloading my kiln after a good day in the studio. It’s really exciting to be able to hold what was flaming hot and fluid the day before.” Arlie’s primary work is glass jewelry, but recently she has also been experimenting with glass vases and sculptures that involve faceting glass to look like natural crystal formations. “I think Asheville has really allowed me to slow down and create work at my own pace,” she says. “I used to put so much pressure on myself to create new jewelry lines every season. These days, I make when it feels right, and most of the time I’m a lot more satisfied with the results.” The laid back approach to work comes naturally to Arlie. Her studio is a bright little sunroom on the front of her house; her boyfriend, Stephen, installed ventilation for the torch system, and even set up surround-sound speakers for music. “It’s small but perfect. And so bright! I love how much sunshine pours in because so much of my glass work revolves around light.” One of the perks of an at-home studio, she says, is the ability to flamework in her pajamas whenever she likes.
Arlie finds inspiration outside Asheville, as well. She is a frequent student of Penland School of Craft, located about 50 miles outside of Asheville. After attending Penland on a scholarship, Arlie still treats herself to a class there once a year to learn something new and find inspiration. The school is unlike any traditional academic experience because there are no grades and only constructive criticism. “Everyone attending is excited to be there. No matter your skill level or age, everyone supports each other,” she says. Arlie feels support and excitement not just in other makers, but also in her customers. “I think people have really started to appreciate and understand quality over quantity and shopping local,” Arlie says. That culture is something that will keep Arlie – and Asheville – inspired to create for years to come. d
Seeking Shelter
Asheville could be described as a town of wanderers. People have journeyed here for centuries in a quest for fresh air, quiet refuge, and a space to pursue the art that stirs their soul. Karie Reinertson and Rob Maddox are seekers, drawn together by the creativity that unites them. This husband-and-wife team are the driving force behind SHELTER, a design collective that produces stunning handbags, as well as lofty ideas. Their bags run the gamut from pocket-sized pouches to elaborate backpacks. Each is stitched with careful attention to detail, a trait that carries over to their organic cotton dresses that are dip dyed in rich hues of rose and chambray. A sense of belonging and warmth permeate the West Asheville studio where Reinertson and Maddox invent everything from foraging backpacks to large-scale timber frame structures. “We are designers first and foremost,” says Maddox. “That’s really where most of our collaboration happens — in the higher level, conceptual design.”
by Jen Nathan Orris | photos by Rich Orris
They met in the green mountains of Vermont as
They befriended a pair of Yestermorrow instructors who
students at Yestermorrow Design Build School. As they
suggested they move to Asheville to join their flourishing
immersed themselves in the theories and practicalities
design/build business. “The job just kind of fortuitously
of designing structures and building them by hand, they
presented itself,� says Maddox.
also found time to play. They picked berries, swam in lakes, and discovered the joys of creating a meaningful
This stroke of luck is particularly serendipitous in a
life together.
tourism-driven town where professional jobs are scarce. Reinertson remembers meeting new friends at a local
After spending a frigid winter building a cabin in the
dive bar. When Maddox revealed that they had moved
backwoods of New Hampshire, Maddox and Reinertson
here for a job, he was met with an incredulous uproar.
were eager to tackle new adventures in warmer climes.
In a town teeming with talented freelancers in every
miles of sidewalks and gas stations dotted the view from
field imaginable, it’s a rarity to meet someone with a full-
their dark, basement apartment.
time job — especially in the arts. “It’s what we needed to just be able to get here,” “We tell that story a lot because it was very shocking
remembers Maddox, “but it was definitely not the
when we were first moving here,” Reinertson recalls.
dreamy ‘just move down here and rent a bungalow and
This realization motivated Reinertson, who was more
start gardening in your backyard’ kind of thing.”
determined than ever to establish her own path. However, she still remembers the transition from bucolic
After a dreary winter, they set out to find a new
New England to gritty West Asheville as especially
Asheville home that suited their need for light and open
daunting. The Blue Ridge mountains were close by, but
spaces. They found it on a quiet residential street just a
“All the little nitty gritty of how to make it really sing, she makes that happen,” [Rob] points out. “But we can both work together on how it looks or how it performs.”
couple miles away. Their new rental had a backyard and arched doorways. They decorated it with vibrant textiles and lush houseplants. “It took living in a more comfortable home with trees and also having a separate studio space where I interacted with people,” says Reinertson. “That was what really made me understand and fall in love with this place.” That love was mutual and soon SHELTER became ingrained in the community. Maddox and Reinertson are currently collaborating with The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, an Asheville non-profit, to curate an exhibition that explores the nature of craft, art, and industry in western North Carolina. Reinertson says they were selected to design and execute the exhibit because of their ability to bind seemingly disparate artists and themes together.
“To be in a situation where we can help define an area through an exhibition — to create the visuals that connect and lift a group of people — that’s really exciting to me,” says Reinertson. ”It’s about distributing this work in a beautiful, meaningful, thoughtful way. Reinertson worked with the artists to create a cohesive exhibit, handling the details and overarching vision of the show. Maddox built exhibition furniture to reflect each of the four featured artists and the collection of wares from makers throughout the region. The inspirational push and pull of their collaborative relationship is apparent in everything they create. Maddox is the first to admit that Reinertson is better at the sewing machine than he ever will be, although his keen eye for design helped establish the shape and qualities of many of SHELTER’s handbags. “All the little nitty gritty of how to make it really sing, she makes that happen,” he points out. “But we can both work together on how it looks or how it performs.” Their partnership drives his design/build work as well. “I’m so fixed with my eyes on where the staircase goes that at a certain point I don’t see that it could be over there,” he says. “Karie can bring that really easily.” Reinertson believes that a craving for connection and collaboration drives Asheville’s independent spirit. The same could be said about her and Maddox. Bringing that vision into focus creates shelter for all who arrive next. d
DESIGN Experience the aesthetic
STYLE PROFILE As told to Kelley Engelbrecht portrait by Nicole McConville
R. Brook Priddy
Owner, designer, and visionary of Ship to Shore, R. Brooke Priddy spends her days creating etherially beautiful custom gowns, often integrating priceless heirloom textiles into her design. It’s this same intention and purpose that she brings as a designer that is reflected in her own personal style I’ve sewn my own clothing for as long as I can remember. I’d take apart my favorite threadbare clothes and learn how they were constructed. I prided myself on a completely original wardrobe, sometimes make a new outfit every day before school! By the time I was 20, I was getting requests from friends and strangers. I make gowns because the garment creates an opportunity to invest in time and exquisite materials. Too often we consider our clothing to be disposable on the basis of trend. A gown built for a significant occasion will be something to keep and cherish - destined to become an heirloom. We moved around quite a bit when I was younger. My folks settled down in Asheville in the ‘90s and it felt like a home I had never known before – I felt more creative and free here. It wasn’t long before I packed my bags and set up shop. I’m drawn to fabrics and textiles that tell stories. My Grandmother Marcheta collected lace and put together a small traveling educational exhibit about the art of American handmade lace. Spending time with her and learning the value of well crafted, artfully designed heirlooms made a major impact.
Go-to outfit: This answer changes weekly, sometimes daily! I am the tester of every sample and prototyped design that springs from my mind. Often I will end up with a whole new wardrobe inspired by a new fabric or print that I happen to find. I do have a particular affinity for MODAL FABRIC and I love a WELL DRAPED FULL-LENGTH SKIRT.
In my make-up bag: ROSEWATER SPRAY to calm and cool DR HAUSCHKA rose cream and powder SERENITY + SCOTT mascara and lipstick in Pink Panther JASMINE OIL from an excellent perfumist in Mumbai My WEDDING EARRINGS from Seven Swans Studio
all photos from @_shiptoshore_
“The natural world is my muse: the colors and petal structures in my dahlia garden, the movement of water, the skyline of mountains.�
@_shiptoshore_
Favorite places to shop in Asheville: LEXINGTON PARK ANTIQUES This is one of those incredible antique stores that you could spend an entire day wandering through. I often go for buttons, lace and heirloom cotton fabric. FLORA They always have the most gorgeous flowers, often types I’ve never seen before. VILLAGERS A well curated shop that features goods and supplies for sustainable living. Beautifully crafted tools and vessels are my favorite things to hunt for.
Sending Signals by Kelley Engelbrecht | photos by Kelley Engelbrecht & Lydia See
In the cool of the Appalachian Mountains, there lives a baker; and, she’s not just any baker, at least by modern, conventional standards First, there’s the oven; it’s outdoors. Her hearth is that of the wood-burning variety, built by hand by its creator, the late Alan Scott. At night, she starts the fire. At their freshest, the flames won’t quite do for baking; so she sleeps. By the time she wakes, the coals are hot and smoldering, primed for her craft. This artist bakes to the tune of the embers: Pies preferring the cooler low flame, Breads turning golden and crunchy as the oven reaches its peak.
“I saw the coolest group of tattooed women laughing and listening to Patti Smith. I knew right away I wanted to work there.” Her flour is ground locally. The wheat germ, kept wholly intact, lends itself to a grittier texture and more delicious flavor. And her kitchen - a unique blend of commercial practicality and the great outdoors - is peppered with pottery and cookbooks. But it’s the baker herself that breaks the mold. Maybe it’s because for Tara Jensen - a fine artist by training - this little bakery is one big, beautiful piece of art. Take one look at the latticework on her pies and you know that she’s up to something special. Or, take a peek at the intricate cuts and whimsical stamps on her packaging and you’ll want to have them framed – or at the very least, keep them forever.
So how does an artist become a baker? Through intuition, love of food, and happenstance. In charmingly appropriate foreshadowing, Tara grew up drawing at the kitchen table after dinners, once the plates had cleared. After graduating with an interdisciplinary degree from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, she turned her attention to the world of sensory art, soft sculpture and installation. It was during her time in school that she came upon The Morning Glory Bakery. “I saw the coolest group of tattooed women laughing and listening to Patti Smith. I knew right away I wanted to work there.” Soon enough she was behind the counter working the ovens, getting a taste of the world of rising dough and pie crusts as she was learning how to create sculpture.
“So far as I can tell, you can’t eat when you die so I try to appreciate all I can, now.” Tara lived the dual lives of artist and baker after college, traveling the world to create at night, while making bread to sustain her craft during the day. This is, until she was able to marry her two loves with Smoke Signals Bakery. “In my late twenties, I became more concerned with the loss of face-to-face contact, and how that has affected our ability to authentically connect. I’ve found that food is a great way to both study this, and to send a message of humility and togetherness.”
In the beginning, when the business of baking felt a bit overwhelming, Tara adjusted her mindset and made art. “I view the bakery as one big installation art project.� Perhaps more accurately, the bakery has come to function as a multidisciplinary project that brings together the community: Tara barters bread for fresh berries from a neighboring farm; and throughout the year, an open invitation presides to gather ‘round the oven for a wide variety of events hosted by the baker.
At the end of June, the bakery was teeming with energy as Smoke Signals celebrated the Summer Solstice with local artists and the community. Hands-on and collective, all attendees pitched in to contribute. There was indigo dying in the field, a large-scale loom and a staged photo booth. “I appreciate the events for the various dimensions of craft and food they encompass.” At Smoke Signals, you won’t find a storefront with a case filled with pies or shelves brimming with bread; but, you won’t miss them. Instead, you’ll find a sculptor creating intricate - and delicious - edible art. And if you’re lucky, she’ll invite you in, fire up the oven and share her craft. “So far as I can tell, you can’t eat when you die so I try to appreciate all I can, now.” d
TAKE A STROLL photos by Allison Mannella
What happens when you have a quiet afternoon at the largest privately owned residence in the United States? You explore, of course. Ladies and gentlemen, Asheville’s own Biltmore Estate.
S T Y LI S H S TR E E TS photos by Leslie Frempong
Wonderfilled Adventure Club How we explored this volume’s featured city.
WHERE WE STAYED One word: GLAMPING (thanks to a unique AirBNB listing!)
WHAT WE DRANK: Delicious Beers at MARSHALL CONTAINER CO. Flavorful IPAs at WICKED WEED Classic cocktails with a view at SKYBAR Craft brews at the THIRSTY MONK
Marshall Container Co.
Biscuit Head
WHAT WE ATE: Fish & Chips at WICKED WEED Biscuits and a gravy flight at BISCUIT HEAD Wood-fired pizza at ALL SOUL’S PIZZA Franklin Art Glass Studio
WHAT WE DISCOVERED: The GRAVEYARD FIELDS TRAIL in the Blue Ridge Mountains Hot springs & spa in HOT SPRINGS (a 45 minute drive outside of Asheville) Incredible artists at FRANKLIN ART GLASS STUDIOS
CITY GUIDE The Perfect Day ODDS CAFE 800 Haywood Rd HARVEST RECORDS 415 Haywood Rd WHIST 428 Haywood Rd VILLAGERS 278 Haywood Rd SHORT SHEET CAKES 225 Haywood Rd CHAI PANI 22 Battery Park Ave HORSE + HERO 14 Patton Ave DUNCAN & YORK 33 N Lexington Ave OLD NORTH 15 W Walnut St MINX 64 N Lexington Ave BLACKBERG CREATIVE 120 Coxe Ave Suite 1C BURIAL BREWING CO. 40 Collier Ave SOCIAL LOUNGE 29 Broadway RHUBARB 7 S Pack Square
Happy Hour THE WEDGE BREWING COMPANY 37 Paynes Way
Greater han the sum of it’s parts HOLE DONUTS 168 Haywood Rd
Carving Her Path BLUE RIDGE HIKING COMPANY (828) 713 5451
Through the Looking Glass ARLIE TROWBRIDGE Stockists>
Seeking Shelter SHELTER PROTECTS YOU Stockists>
Style Profile SHIP TO SHORE photo by Chelsea Lane
43 Rankin Ave
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, MEXICO sis·ter cit·y (noun): A city that is linked to another to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation, one individual, one community at a time
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, or Jovel in the local indigenous language of Tzotzil: the place in the clouds (expats affectionately refer to it as “San Cris”). I find Jovel a more fitting name for a place where one wakes up each morning obscured in mountain mists. The weather here is fabulously temperate year round due to high altitude, and it attracts Mexican nationals in droves to enjoy the mountain air. San Cristobal is internationally acclaimed for its richly diverse indigenous Mayan culture. Moving from the relative flatness of Ohio to the heights of Jovel has created a sense of wonder in me that each day is fed by the abundance of charm I find in this place. Walking the colonial cobblestone streets of San Cristobal is a rainbow of experiences - a jumble of new and old, traditional and innovative, getting lost in the variety of shops and markets and sensations. One will be asked countless times to buy a ceramic “animalito” statue by child vendors on the street, or to buy one of the dazzling hand embroidered or woven textiles by indigenous women who will no doubt be wearing a beautiful “huipil” (an embroidered shirt) or perhaps a traditional goat fur skirt herself. Being a national tourist destination, all parts of Mexico are represented, as well as people of diverse Mayan cultures. Languages from all over the world spill from the mouths of tourists and expats--hippies are prevalent. San Cristobal is a complex mélange in that the cosmopolitan and the native may seem indistinguishable to the untrained eye. Although I often find myself appreciating the global flair of this city, San Cris has not always been this way. Much of the international attention on San Cristobal came in the wake of the violent indigenous separatist movement of 1994 (the Zapatista Rebellion) against unequal and oppressive treatment by the Mexican government. Conflict centered on San Cristobal (former capital of Chiapas); consequentially this city received international attention, creating a political and social tourist destination unlike anywhere else. Although attention to the plight of indigenous people here has created an influx of money, inequality remains. Since 2011, I’ve traveled here three times, yet San Cristobal continues to be a place of wonder to me; I can observe international and local culture at work, and appreciate tradition. It’s a place where I am reminded of how fortunate I am. d Sarah Grosh is an art teacher on sabbatical in San Cristobal de las Casas for one year, leading Spanish soaking up culture and volunteering..