Experiencing Western North Carolina’s incredible artist community is easier than ever with the Weaverville Art Safari’s spring tour.

Held May 2 and 3, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free event offers an incredible way to experience art on a personal level.

While most traditional art tours only showcase collections, this unique event provides exclusive access into artists’ studios and a chance to see the creative process behind each piece.

“I love opening up my studio to visitors, and in the spring the gardens are in bloom. People not only come to see art and what inspires me, they also enjoy the landscape. Their enthusiasm gives me energy to create,” says Cindy Ireland, the 2015 Art Safari Chair and a regular participating artist.

Experiencing art on such a personal level often creates unique and lasting relationships between regular attendees and artists. For participating artist Marcia Kummerle, the event blossoms into a family tradition for some. “I love working with ladies who are new grandmothers as they choose yarn for a knitting project to welcome their new grand baby. The real joy is when they bring their toddlers back to the Weaverville Art Safari to visit my Angora goats,” she says.

This year’s free event boasts 35 acclaimed artists and the opportunity to purchase pieces from their newest collections. Offerings showcased include handmade pottery, glass, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, paintings, drawings, fiber art, and more.

A special preview party and fundraiser at the Weaverville Town Hall kicks off the event on Friday evening, May 1. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and includes live music, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, desserts, and more. The highlight of the evening is a silent auction featuring art works donated by each participating artist. Event tickets are only $10 at the door, with additional door prize tickets available for $5 each. Event proceeds fund future Weaverville Art Safari tours, and promotes the arts and community in the Weaverville area. The goal is to expose locals and visitors alike to some of the most talented artists in the area.

Guests looking to plan their visit can pick up Weaverville Art Safari brochures containing maps and artist information at greater Asheville-area galleries, restaurants, and shops beginning in April. Brochures will also be distributed from an Art Safari information booth located on Main Street in Weaverville on May 2 and 3. A downloadable brochure with map and full details about participating artists is also available at www.weavervilleartsafari.com.

About The Weaverville Art Safari

The Weaverville Art Safari is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is staged twice each year–the first full weekend in May and the last full weekend in October–by a group of Western North Carolina artists whose studios are located in and around the communities of Weaverville and Barnardsville, NC.

The first Weaverville Art Safari was organized in the spring of 2001 with the goal of attracting visitors to this vibrant art community on the northern outskirts of Asheville, NC. Since then thousands of people have returned over and over each spring and fall to enjoy the shopping opportunities and the ambience.

If You Go: Weaverville Art Safari, Saturday & Sunday, May 2-3, 2015. For more details visit www.weavervilleartsafari.com.