Decayed - but not forgotten. The old black business district in Asheville sports fine murals

[AlbertCat]

10. Asheville is an artists community isn't it?

When I was a kid, NC was called "The State of the Arts" because of Asheville and the "Black Mountain School" (Black Mt. is just south of Asheville). In the 50's and 60's it was a haven, not just for artists, but for cutting edge artists. It's where Merce Cunningham, John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg evolved and did their amazing thing! It was the reason the state started the 1st state supported school for the performing arts: The North Carolina School of the Arts. Asheville bid for the school to be there, but Winston-Salem beat them out.

It was a time when even Jesse Helms thought the arts were important to make life in the state better... quality over quantity!. My how things have changed