In 1895 George Vanderbilt opened his Biltmore Estate; this year marked the crowning moment on years of construction.

The Estate fostered a community adorned with lovers of art, beauty, and culture. The 2014 Color Ball is dedicated to the same elegance and energy of a golden age. This was the time of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Aubrey Beardsley, Erik Satie, Oscar Wilde, and Joseph Conrad. The Gilded Ball, like the era, will indulge in extravagance and elegance. The Gilded Age was an important time for Asheville and its reverberations can still be seen today.

Join us as we celebrate this era and the Asheville Area Arts Council’s mission to advance Buncombe County by providing access to resources, developing innovative collaborations, and fostering creativity in the community through Asheville’s finest cocktails, costumes, decor, art, and entertainment. The Gilded Ball is sure to be this year’s richest social occasion.

“The Color Ball is our chance to celebrate the unusually successful year that the AAAC has enjoyed, but it is also crucial to raise funds for even better service next year. We have a new strategic plan, a new location that will enable us to better serve Buncombe County, and a renewed commitment to support our creative entrepreneurs.

“More than ever, this year I feel the AAAC has reached a level of service that I can truly feel proud of. Our grants programs are growing, we have had inspiring exhibitions, and we are launching a powerful new business planning curriculum for craft artists. Additionally, our arts advocacy has begun to create new perspectives in earnest, which is a change that will manifest in ways we can only imagine. I believe we are on the verge of great things as a city, and that our creative sector will be a part of that success.”

~ Kitty Love, Executive Director

If You Go: The Gilded Ball, Saturday, September 27, 2014. Tickets: $50; $100 VIP ticket includes VIP pre-party and sneak peek of art auction, food and special entertainment, access to VIP lounge and bar, and 2 drink tickets. Additional details at www.ashevillearts.com. Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. in West Asheville. Call (828) 575-2737 or visit their website at www.isisasheville.com.