Art Garden will host a four-day grand reopening celebration May 7–10 to mark its move to North Lexington Avenue after Helene. The event weekend at the new location, 98 N. Lexington in downtown Asheville, will feature a packed schedule including music, theater, live art demonstrations, drinks, and plenty of plants and art. Organizers describe the reopening as a “rebirth” after an extended period of rebuilding and invite the community to join the festivities and support the new chapter. Learn more.
Bank of America will host a Small Business Owner Appreciation Night on May 21 at the Asheville Art Museum to recognize Small Business Month. The event is free for small business owners and up to four guests, but pre-registration is required. Attendees can visit museum galleries, including In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940 featuring works from the Bank of America Collection on loan through the Art in Our Communities program and enjoy live music from Jackson Grimm and Clint Roberts from 6–8 p.m. Learn more and register for free here.
Brevard Music Center will celebrate its 90th anniversary summer season in 2026, continuing its long-running role as a major training ground for emerging musicians and a festival destination for classical music in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 2026 Summer Festival will bring together more than 1,000 students and faculty with internationally recognized guest artists for orchestral, chamber, operatic, and cross-genre programming. The season emphasizes Brevard’s signature model of learning through performance alongside accomplished professionals while honoring the institution’s history and forward-looking mission. Learn more.
Buncombe County Public Libraries will host author Dolen Perkins-Valdez for a free “One Book, One Buncombe” Community Read event on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium. Perkins-Valdez will discuss her novel Happy Land, which explores land, memory, resilience, and local history. The program is open to all, with no advance registration required; seating is first-come, first-served. The event is part of countywide reading groups and related programming across the library system. Learn more.
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds and Babies Need Bottoms are partnering on a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive to support young families facing rising costs. Donations of diapers (all sizes), pull-ups, wipes and formula will be accepted April 28 through May 30 at every Buncombe County Library and at the Register of Deeds office. Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger has said that demand has increased; the diaper bank began a year ago after Hurricane Helene.
Bush Farmhouse, a Black Mountain restaurant serving South African-inspired food, will be featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the Friday, May 8 episode. The team is celebrating the national spotlight with a watch party and invites the community to join in raising a glass. Learn more about the watch party here.
Dogwood Health Trust is offering a funding opportunity to strengthen internal capacity at organizations serving Western North Carolina in housing, education, economic opportunity and / or health and wellness. The grants support organizational development—such as systems, practices, and long-term effectiveness—rather than direct program delivery. Typical awards range from $15,000–$30,000, with requests allowed from $10,000 to $50,000. Funds are generally paid within 12 months, and projects may last 12–24 months depending on scope and timeline. Learn more and apply here.
Gentry Service Group and WNC Business Magazine will bring Western North Carolina business owners and leaders together for a “Celebrate and Connect” networking and community-building on Tuesday, May 12, from 4–6 p.m. at the Highland Brewing Event Center in Asheville. Sponsored by Gentry Service Group and WNC Business Magazine, the gathering is designed to strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and celebrate the region’s local business community through connection and conversation. Learn more and register here.
Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority (GARAA) is inviting artists and artist-led teams to submit qualifications for commissioned artwork for the new Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) terminal as part of the AVL Forward Terminal Modernization Program. Local Western North Carolina artists will be given preference. The new terminal, planned for completion by 2028, is guided by a design principle of creating “a modern gateway, humbly rooted in natural beauty,” and GARAA is seeking works that reflect that vision while fitting thoughtfully within the terminal’s context. Learn more and apply here.
Kudzu Brands is hosting a Summer Camp brand giveaway awarding one WNC minority-owned business or nonprofit a three-month, hands-on collaborative brand-building experience valued at $10,000 (not a cash grant). The selected organization will join live workshops to clarify messaging and develop a brand story, custom logo, print / digital collateral and a tailored marketing plan. Eligibility is limited to minority-owned businesses and nonprofits located in designated Western North Carolina counties. Learn more.
The Montford Park Players opened its 2026 season themed “Brains, Hearts, & Courage” at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater, beginning May 1 with “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The free, donation-supported outdoor season continues with “Othello” (June 5–27), “Taming of the Shrew” (July 3–Aug. 1), “The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel” (Aug. 7–29), “Romeo and Juliet” (Sept. 4–26), and “The Hope of Oz” (Oct. 2–24). Audiences can bring blankets and chairs or reserve seating for a fee. Learn more.
The National Small Business Matchmaking Series will host a North Carolina event in Raleigh on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the NC State University McKimmon Conference and Training Center. The initiative aims to connect local small businesses with the federal marketplace by providing tools, access, and relationships to compete for federal contracting. Participants can meet one-on-one with U.S. Department of Transportation procurement officials and others, learn about upcoming procurement pipelines and opportunities, and increase visibility with direct procurement channels through strategic networking. Learn more and register here.
Pisgah Legal Services will host Jazz for Justice on Thursday, May 28, at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, starting at 5:30 p.m. The ticketed fundraiser will feature live music by The Brian Felix Organ Trio, gourmet bites, and drinks, while highlighting the organization’s past year of providing free legal assistance in Western North Carolina. Program stories will reflect client experiences with issues such as domestic violence, foreclosure threats, and Hurricane Helene-related damage. Organizers invite supporters and newcomers to attend and help address poverty through legal aid. Learn more and get tickets here.
Silhouette announced its first official partnership with Asheville Vision and Wellness and will mark the collaboration with a free, two-day public event on Friday, May 15. The schedule includes private personalized appointments from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. featuring consultations, vision assessments, styling, and early access to select pieces, followed by a 4–7 p.m. cocktail soirée with access to new collections, raffle prizes, and refreshments. Attendance is free, but an RSVP is required via email at events@us.silhouette.com
Zella’s Deli announced the reopening of its dinner service and invites the community to dine in daily from 4–8 p.m. Guests can expect a dinner menu featuring pastas and appetizers alongside the shop’s signature sandwiches. Learn more.
New & Noteworthy
AdventHealth Hendersonville earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2026, marking the hospital’s 20th consecutive “A.” Leapfrog’s independent grades reflect performance on more than 30 patient-safety measures, including errors, accidents, injuries, infections and prevention systems. Hospital leaders say the milestone demonstrates a sustained culture of listening to patients, learning from their experiences, and continuously improving care so people feel safe, supported and whole.
Back on Track Addiction Ministries founder Lynette Oliver was named the 2026 Henderson County ATHENA Award recipient, recognized for advocacy and leadership supporting people struggling with addiction. Her work sustains a recovery support organization that addresses immediate needs while focusing on long-term restoration, including a community thrift store that helps fund services and create work experience for program participants. Oliver also partners with local organizations such as Open Arms Pregnancy Center, Blue Ridge Health, the Henderson County Foster Program and Drug Court to expand support for vulnerable residents. Learn more.
Buncombe County Emergency Management is urging residents to update emergency plans and supply kits ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1–Nov. 30). The reminder aligns with Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina (May 3–9), led by the National Weather Service, and emphasizes that early planning can reduce risk from destructive storms and severe weather. Residents can find local preparedness information at buncombeready.org and step-by-step planning resources through the state’s preparedness site. Learn more.
The Center for Craft received a two-year, $425,000 Mellon Foundation grant to help make its forthcoming Community Library and Archives accessible and relevant to new generations. The project follows the Center’s 2025 acquisition of the American Craft Council Library and Archives Collections and supports planned renovations to its historic Asheville building to house the materials. Combined with existing collections, the library and archives are intended to become the nation’s leading resource dedicated to American craft, with an anticipated opening in 2028. Learn more.
Henderson County Lynette Oliver as the recipient of the 2026 Henderson County ATHENA Award, presented at the Business & Professional Women’s Luncheon on April 28, 2026. The ATHENA Award recognizes leadership, professional excellence, and service that strengthens the community. Oliver was honored for her work and impact in Henderson County, and the luncheon brought together local business and community members to celebrate women’s leadership and contributions.
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Blue Ridge Business Growth Awards on May 4 at Southern Appalachian Brewery during National Small Business Week, recognizing local business success. The Chamber named 14 Business Growth Award recipients and four Rising Stars for startups operating less than three years. The event was supported by presenting sponsors Champion Credit Union and WNC Business, with additional support from The Salty Landing and Southern Appalachian Brewery. Learn more.
Mars Hill University will celebrate spring commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Moore Auditorium, honoring nearly 200 bachelor’s and master’s graduates. Retired businessman and longtime trustee Wayne Higgins of Weaverville will receive an honorary doctorate. The ceremony will feature student speakers Laela Jimenez and Jakub Pawelczak, special music by Jordan Speece, an invocation by Matthew Pacheco, and remarks from board chair and alumnus Paul Powell. Watch the ceremony here.
Mountain Credit Union held its 63rd Annual Meeting on April 23, 2026, at Laurel Ridge Country Club, gathering members, staff, and community leaders to reflect on the year and recognize achievements. Board Chairman Joey Webb, Jr. led the meeting, which also marked the first annual meeting under CEO Suzie Shook, who is continuing the credit union’s focus on member service and community commitment. A key highlight was honoring the 2026 Robert “Bob” Cathey Memorial Scholarship recipients for their accomplishments and community contributions.
NC IDEA announced the first statewide NC Tweener List, Powered by NC IDEA, at the 2026 NC Tweener Awards during Raleigh-Durham Startup Week. The expanded list grows beyond its former Triangle-only focus, increasing from 311 companies in 2025 to 559 across North Carolina. “Tweeners” are high-growth tech companies headquartered in the state with at least $1 million in annual revenue or 10+ employees, viewed as strong candidates for future investment, acquisition, or IPO; they “graduate” at $80 million revenue or 500 employees. Learn more.
The University of North Carolina Asheville and Southwestern Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the Bulldog Promise Program, a direct-entry admissions partnership beginning in fall 2026. The program creates a guaranteed pathway from SCC to UNC Asheville for students in Jackson, Swain, and Macon Counties and the Qualla Boundary, aiming to make a bachelor’s degree more accessible and affordable. Participants can reduce overall education costs and debt compared with starting at a four-year school, and the program has no participation fee with an option to request an application-fee waiver.
The University of North Carolina Asheville also named Jami Attenberg as the Spring 2026 Wilma Dykeman Writer-in-Residence, honoring the Asheville-born writer and Appalachian Studies founder Wilma Dykeman. Attenberg, a New York Times bestselling author of ten books, will connect with Asheville’s writing community during the residency. Her work includes The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, and A Reason to See You Again, and she has been recognized as a finalist and longlisted for major literary prizes. Learn more and register for a speaking event here.
YMCA of Western North Carolina is expanding access to mental health education and support during Mental Health Awareness Month, aiming to increase literacy, reduce stigma, and connect people with practical resources. Programs include Reach & Rise Mentoring, which pairs youth facing behavioral health challenges with trained adult mentors to build resilience and connection; EveryDay Strong, which trains caring adults to support ages 8–18; and Mental Health First Aid trainings for youth, teens, and adults to help participants recognize and respond to mental health or substance-use challenges. Learn more.
YMCA of Western North Carolina is also highlighting National Water Safety Month by expanding access to swim education and reinforcing safety messaging as families spend more time near pools, lakes, and rivers. The Y notes drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children and says swim lessons can reduce risk. Programs include swim lessons for all ages, the Safety Around Water program that teaches survival skills like floating and exiting safely, private and small-group instruction, lifeguard training and certification and the Piranhas swim team for skill-building and teamwork. Learn more.
Community Input
Buncombe County Government is seeking input on the Swannanoa Small Area & Resilience Plan, covering communities including Riceville, Lytle Cove and Lake Eden. The plan will guide county priorities over the next 20 years, and a new poll summarizes proposed land use, transportation priorities, and more than 140 draft policies and actions developed from prior community engagement and Steering Committee guidance. The poll is available in English and Spanish and remains open through May 18, 2026. Learn more and take the poll here.
The Town of Sylva’s Concerts on the Creek, produced with Jackson County Parks and Recreation and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, was nominated again for USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards as Best Outdoor Concert Series. Organizers say the nomination reflects the weekly summer series’ ongoing role as a community tradition and regional draw. Public voting is open now and continues through Monday, May 11, at 11:59 a.m. EDT, and supporters are encouraged to vote daily during the four-week period. Learn more and vote here.