The arts of Asheville
Big city émigrés add to city's strong crafts tradition
Asheville is renowned not only for its local crafts -- Appalachian quilts, dulcimers, pottery and woodwork -- but for an infusion of creative enterprise from all over the world.
Perri Crutcher, a floral designer from New York, is just one of many artists who have gravitated to Asheville. Together with assistant Trevor Baker, he runs a tiny shop tucked in what was once an alley between two buildings on North Lexington Avenue. Perri Ltd. Floral Decor Studio is stacked full -- an ad hoc wonderland of vintage vases stuffed with bouquets, second-hand furniture adorned with baskets, buckets and planters, and sprays of blossoms emerging from such unexpected objects as galvanized water coolers and old ice cream makers.
Across town, another New York expatriate, Priscilla Hope, runs the Vitrum Gallerie, one of only a handful of exclusive studio glass galleries in the world. The open, modernist space contrasts sharply with the riot of the flower shop, but the spirit behind both ventures is much the same.
We spoke to Crutcher and Hope about the arts in Asheville. Here's what they had to say:
What prompted you to move to Asheville?
Crutcher: I came to visit two friends of mine and I ended up staying. They made candles and they moved here (from New York). He was a vice president (of a company).... People are leaving their major stressful jobs and coming here to create.
Hope: Almost four years ago, I came here homeless with two children (due to a divorce). I had been a glass collector and I ended up becoming a dealer. Two years ago, I found this place (the current location of the gallery) and last year, I did a half-million dollars in business.
Why do you think the arts community in Asheville is so strong?
Crutcher: You know how you think some people are born with an artistic sense? Here, the artistic sense comes out in everyone. In a larger city, it's too much (pressure and competition) -- and artists are sensitive people.
Hope: You have two types of artists -- egocentric maniacs and humble introverts. If you're a humble introvert, you want to be in the mountains. If you're an egomaniac, you want to be in Hollywood or New York. ... The artists are here because they're hermits -- they need a quiet place to go and reflect.
Are you glad you made the move?
Crutcher: I've never been happier in my life. In New York, I was doing flowers for Jackie (Kennedy Onassis), doing million-dollar weddings -- but I've never been happier than I am now. ... Here, you really get to connect with people. And I've done all these wonderful things, and now I want to share them with people. ... I am going to be the creator of Asheville's floral lifestyle.
Hope: I was really amazed (at the Asheville arts community), coming from Manhattan. ... This is a great place for an entrepreneur.
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