Founded in 1972, the Art League of Henderson County invites artists and art lovers to participate in the many ways that we promote the visual arts in our community. Since the Art League opened Art Place, a new gallery and workshop space, in the fall of 2022, it has become a lively hub for educational programs, monthly exhibits, classes and workshops. Experienced instructors teach small classes for adults in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Twenty artists lease working studio spaces in the adjacent Art Place Studio Annex building. Members enjoy informal small group gatherings and field trips to museums and other sites of interest.

Among the League’s public art programs are quarterly exhibits at the Henderson County Library, a fall Open Studio tour that provides opportunities to see and learn from artists at work and a spring Fabulous Fakes exhibit of whimsical versions of masterworks. The League also organizes the annual ArtScape banner project that makes Main Street a colorful, year-round, open-air gallery featuring works by local artists. In 2023, the League organized the first exhibit of banners in Jackson Park featuring paintings by young artists. Brochures and maps are available at the Visitor Center. 

Membership in the Art League is open to residents of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. Visitors and non-members are welcome to register for classes and to attend exhibits and programs. Details about all League activities and the current exhibits and hours at Art Place can be found on the League’s website.

MUSIC

Carolina Concert Choir

Contact: 828-393-5737 | CarolinaConcertChoir.org

The Carolina Concert Choir has about 50 members of all ages under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Michael Lancaster with Richard Riccardi serving as accompanist. Composed of auditioned singers from Hendersonville, Asheville, Sylva, Brevard and upstate South Carolina, the choir’s repertoire includes a mix of classical choral and choral/symphonic compositions and lighter fare including popular favorites. The Carolina Concert Choir performs twice near the Christmas/Hanukkah holiday in mid-December and once in mid-April for a spring concert. Rehearsals and performances are at Grace Lutheran Church at 1245 6th Avenue West in Hendersonville. The choir also periodically performs with the Asheville Symphony Chorus, Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra in their venues. The Carolina Concert Choir sponsors the annual All-County Honors chorus for more than 80 aspiring middle and high school students which concludes with a concert the third weekend in every November. Visit their website for concert information, to schedule an audition with Dr. Lancaster, to purchase tickets or donate.

Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra 

Contact: 828-490-7119 | 4SeasonsOrchestra.org

The Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra is Western North Carolina’s orchestra for all seasons presenting one concert each spring, summer, fall and winter around Hendersonville and beyond. Its mission is to present inspiring music in intimate settings and raise funds and awareness at every concert in support of causes and organizations in the community. The 4SCO is composed of professional, amateur and student musicians with programming that ranges from historic masterpieces of the symphonic tradition to new art and popular music and beyond. The 4SCO is led by director and conductor Eric Scheider.

Hendersonville Chorale

Contact: 864-425-8584 | Facebook.com/HendersonvilleChorale

This group of approximately 30 to 40 people, which sing all varieties of music from classics to show tunes, is a non-auditioned group of singers that includes every age group and skill level. The Hendersonville Chorale’s mission is to provide opportunities to all people who love to sing and share the love of music and the inspiration it provides the greater community. The chorale prides itself on its welcoming camaraderie. Directed by Michael Stephen Brannon, the Chorale prepares and performs two concerts each year, one in the spring and another in the fall. The Chorale seeks new members. Those interested should email optisan52 at gmail.com.

Hendersonville Community Band

Contact: HCBMusic.com

The Hendersonville Community Band, founded by Jim Stokes, has been sharing music with Hendersonville and the surrounding area since 1991. The band, which consists of 75 amateur and professional musicians, performs four concerts per season: in the fall, at holiday time, spring and early summer presenting a wide range of selections and occasional guest appearances by other artists and ensembles. HCB encourages music education the Jim Stokes summer music camp scholarships for Henderson County students and through the Ralph Campbell and Joan Tripp Scholarships for students majoring in instrumental music education in area colleges. HCB is led by Conductor Winford Franklin and Associate Conductor Dr. Cole Hairston.

Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra

Contact: 828-697-5884 | HendersonvilleSymphony.org

Established in 1971, the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra of professional musicians that performs six concerts a year, conducted by Music Director John Young Shik Concklin. All main season performances are held in the Blue Ridge Conference (Concert) Hall at Blue Ridge Community College. Season subscriptions and single concert tickets are available throughout the season, which runs from September through May. The Hendersonville Symphony considers the musical enrichment and education of young people a major priority. Youth programs include the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, Hendersonville Symphony Youth Chorus, Young Artist Competition, Education Concerts for local, school-aged children and a Youth Scholarship program. Volunteers with Friends of the Hendersonville Symphony help produce the Symphony’s fundraisers each year.

Hendersonville Swing Band

Contact: 828-696-8031 | HendersonvilleSwingBand.org

This 17-piece band has been a musical fixture in Hendersonville since 1996. Staying true to the original masters of swing, the band performs music by The Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more. Led by trombonist-conductor Jerry Zink, the band plays benefit concerts several times a year for local service organizations and charities.

THEATRE

Flat Rock Playhouse 

2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
Contact: 828-693-0731 | FlatRockPlayhouse.org

North Carolina’s State Theatre opened its curtain in 1952 in the Village of Flat Rock. Seventy years later, the theatre continues to provide the region with professional live entertainment. About 90,000 patrons a year enjoy a variety of musicals, comedies, contemporary dramas, the Playhouse Jr. family/school series and music concerts that entertain and enlighten all year long. The theatre also offers excellence in arts education and outreach to children and adults locally, regionally and statewide.

Hendersonville Theatre 

229 S Washington Street, Hendersonville
Contact: 828-692-1082 | HVLTheatre.org

For more than 55 years, Hendersonville Theatre (formerly Hendersonville Community Theatre) has been the official theatre for the community. The theatre’s purpose is to enrich, stimulate and entertain Western North Carolina by providing high-quality live theatre, music, films, education and special events. The theatre is run by a professional staff, but welcomes anyone with a desire to learn more about performing arts.