Red House Gallery and Swannanoa Valley Art League officially open in new location

Following a March 15 grand reopening on Cherry Street, the Red House Gallery is already seeing an increase in visitation, according to Swannanoa Valley Art League President Tina Kannapel.

Kannapel said more than 400 people attended the opening reception. On a day-to-day basis, Kannapel said the gallery is seeing approximately 47 people come through. She said this is something the gallery “never had” at its old location, often getting this number only at events.

Prior to its new 101 Cherry St. location, the Red House Gallery was housed on the Monte Vista property in the red farmhouse. When the hotel was purchased by new owners in September of last year, the gallery was informed it would need to vacate the red farmhouse that gave the gallery its name by Feb. 1.

“The Monte Vista was very gracious when they explained that they needed the space,” Kannapel said. “I don’t want anybody feeling bad about the Monte Vista. We are incredibly thrilled with our gracious welcoming by the downtown community. We’re sorry that we had to move, but we’re very happy to be where we are now.”

The Red House Gallery moved into the farmhouse in 2011 when the then-new owners offered up the space to the Swannanoa Valley Art League. The league was formed in 1967 by Mary Gilbert who, while attending a luncheon at the Monte Vista, “was struck by the unusual abundance of creative expression blossoming in this group of women,” according to the gallery’s website.

The Swannanoa Valley Art League is a nonprofit that offers art classes for the community. Some of these classes are geared toward children and will be offered after school as well as classes where artists will go to the students. Kannapel said the organization has received a grant from the Kiwanis Club to help fund the children’s classes. A grant to improve the outside accessible ramp on the bottom floor of the gallery was also provided by the Black Mountain Beautification Committee.

The league also offers classes in partnership with Bounty & Soul and Homeward Bound.

Life drawing classes are offered at the gallery every Monday and Tuesday with a donation required to participate.

Kannapel said the league would like to start a community project with other similar organizations in town that features local artists and their work throughout downtown on one evening a month.

The gallery and league will also be participating in the annual Sourwood Festival and Holly Jolly events, according to Kannapel.

The league has approximately 145 members, and about half of those have work in the Red House Gallery, according to Kannapel. The Cherry Street location of the gallery has three levels filled with nearly 1,000 pieces of art on display from the members. With the main gallery on the main floor, artists have studios on the top and bottom floors.

The gallery features a new show every two months. The first show in the new location is called “Making Changes.” The next show will be called “Nature Sings” and will be on display from May 17 through July 8.

The Red House Gallery features a spotlight artist each month. Artists' work will be displayed in the front windows, and there will be a talk by the artist on the fourth Monday of every month at 10 a.m.

Kannapel said it is important for an organization like the Swannanoa Valley Art League and the Red House Gallery to be in Black Mountain, because “it doesn’t exist otherwise.”

She pointed to other arts organizations in the area like Black Mountain Center for the Arts, but noted that organization focuses more on performance art.

“Black Mountain needs it, wants it,” Kannapel said. “The whole reason for our art league is to support the arts: show and demonstrate art and to educate the community. … We fill a niche.”

The Red House Gallery is located at 101 Cherry St. and is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.