There’s a creative undercurrent flowing through the city of Asheville’s core. You feel it walking its streets. You sense it in its earth, water, and wind. While you can’t quite put your finger on it, you know it’s there, a feeling almost as ancient as the surrounding mountains, yet vibrant, visible, and new all at the same time. It’s a feeling that’s lured a varied mix of people — artists, scientists, naturalists, explorers, entrepreneurs — for ages. It’s what a friend recently described as “a whole other place.” It’s what piqued our interest as a publication as well.
We are proud to launch the following series in partnership with a city we love. It’s our attempt to capture Asheville’s essence from a few unexpected angles. While it’s maybe not a complete love letter, we hope you feel the sentimental spirit this place, this area, and this community holds in our hearts. We hope you enjoy the series and also take some time to explore Asheville on your own.
Table of Contents
The Shape She Takes
Words by Laura Relyea
Photos by Charlie Boss
Asheville artist Indigo De Souza’s music exists outside of structure: powerful and confident, yet at times subdued; candid, yet potent. Bouncing between North America and Europe to tour for her 2021 album, “Any Shape You Take,” the 25-year-old singer opens up about her past, present, and future. Read On
Long Time Travelin’
Words by Kimberly Coburn
Photos by Nathan Lopez
Rebecca Beyer makes her home in, and runs her business from, a sun-bleached bus parked on her nine-acre tract in the mountains of North Carolina. As a forager, earthcrafter, herbalist, tattoo artist, folklorist, ethnobotanist, musician, huntress, and witch, she wants to remind folks that any separation they feel from nature is a delusion. Read On
An Invitation Into Belonging
Words by Jasmin Pittman Morrell
Photos by GROWL
You don’t need to travel to the aquamarine waters of Jamaica or the Punjab heart of the Sikh faith or the towering peaks of Argentina to taste cuisines from around the world. Six emerging international chefs are working to bridge the gap between the spices and flavors of their youth and the Asheville mountains they call home. Read On
A Global Climate Hub Hidden in the Heart of the Blue Ridge
Words by Wiley Cash
Photographs by Mallory Cash
In a town known for its beer, artisanry, literature, and the Biltmore, there’s a known yet unassuming theme, an undercurrent, uniting them all. Writer Wiley Cash explores how Asheville’s climate also serves as an anchor for national and global weather research. Read On
Signs of the Times
Words by Kevin Tucker
Photos by GROWL
An adventurous dive into two iconic Asheville lodging establishments that have helped define the city’s authentic aesthetic, nostalgia and all. Read On
Made by Mountains
Words by Rachel Priest
Illustrations by Martha Park
Asheville has long been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Currently, the city is luring many innovative and creative businesses to its emerging outdoor-gear industry. Read On
