As downtown Ashville’s newest fine art gallery, ArtEtude Gallery Inc. has held off having a Grand Opening event until now. But, the wait is over and the event is planned for the weekend of October 19 through the 21. We chose this weekend after careful consideration, because it was our desire that our traveling friends and associates come to Asheville for a fun packed weekend during the city’s peak season.

It is our goal to showcase the gallery and our artists as well as Asheville and the North Carolina Mountains in their peak season. The Southern Highlands Craft Guild Show and the majestic autumnal colors of the surrounding mountains are simply the icing on the cake for our invitees. This event is open to everyone and if you have not had the opportunity to visit our gallery this will be a perfect time to do so.

The event itself will kickoff Friday, October 19, with an artist’s reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All of our artists will be traveling to Asheville from all over the country for entire weekend-long event. There will be music and hors’derves along with some great libations.

The main event will run from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 with great jazz, food and drink. This will be a wonderful chance to spend time with your favorite artists from the gallery and have the artists add a personalized provenance to any work of art you choose to add to your collection. Sunday afternoon will be the cool down time for our traveling guests — they’ll be able to enjoy their latest acquisition before they head home.

In addition to enjoying the weekend and the wonderful artwork at the gallery, we will also be shedding more light on our joint initiative with the Mission Foundation called Contemporary Art on a Mission. We are pleased to have this association and look forward to a positive relationship that gives back to the health and well being of the Asheville family.

We look forward to seeing many of our old friends and meeting all the new ones that chose to join the festivities of the weekend. So come on into the gallery and join us along with our artists for the ArtEtude Gallery Gala Grand Opening.

 If You Go: Artist’s reception Friday, October 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Great jazz, food and drink Saturday, October 20, from 2-9 p.m. ArtEtude Gallery, 89 Patton Ave., Asheville. (828) 252-1466, www.artetudegallery.com.