Advanced art students stepped out of the classroom and into Asheville’s creative scene recently during a full-day field trip that combined hands-on experiences, community engagement, and post-hurricane reflection.
Led by Charles D. Owen High School art teacher Diane Birken, the students explored several stops throughout the city, including a photographic study in the River Arts District, a visit to Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, and a live demonstration at Lexington Glassworks, where students watched professional glassblowers in action.
“I try to expose them to different art opportunities, things they’ve never seen before,” Ms. Birken said. “It’s one thing to make art in a classroom, but going out into the community shows them what it’s really like to be a working artist.”
The immersive day included a photo assignment in the River Arts District, where students documented textures, shadows, and scenes from the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. Jacque, a senior, described the experience as “eye-opening.”
“I got to see what people do in their workspaces professionally, and we took pictures post-hurricane,” she said. “So much happens and not many people know about it. There’s still damage left behind.”
Taliah, a junior, said she appreciated seeing the glassblowing process up close.
“I didn’t expect the tools to get so hot,” she said. “That part really surprised me.”
Geoff Koslow, co-owner of Lexington Glassworks, said he’s always glad to host students.
“When I was a teenager, my parents brought me to a glassblowing studio, and I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen,” he said. “Sharing that with young people is important to me.”
The trip to working studios and galleries gave students a fuller view of both the businesses and artistry that make up Asheville’s creative economy.
“This kind of trip is about more than art,” Ms. Birken said. “It’s about showing them what’s possible, inspiring curiosity, and helping them connect to each other and the world around them.”