The Art of Reuse - Earth Day Contest sponsored by Etsy names local artist to Top 10 on Today Show

"Trashformations" have been a favorite with art lovers in our Open Studio Tours in Western North Carolina for years. This medium lends itself well to the culture of simplicity, back-to-nature, and thoughtful, green living which is a trademark of the Asheville, NC area.

Burnsville artist and musician (Hot Duck Soup), John Richards, had his work, "Flying Alumifish" named as a top 10 on NBC's Today Show "Art of Reuse" contest last week. John's project was a mobile made from aluminum cat food lids. The mobile is currently hanging in the Mellow Mushroom in Asheville, along with several of John's other works. Judges for the contest included Martha Stewart, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Andy Cohen.

John's works have been sold or displayed at Tiffany & Co., Bonwit Teller, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, The Museum of Contemporary Crafts NYC, The Museum of Modern Art, Jacksonville FL & various publications: House & Garden, American Home, Playboy, Asheville Citizen Times, Yancey Common Times Journal, Southern Living Magazine, The New York Times, The London Times, Folio & the prestigious Saint Augustine Record. John received a BA in English from Union College in Schenectady, NY and taught English, Spanish, and Art for "four long years but has been creatively unemployed ever since."

Visit the Toe River Arts Gallery in Burnsville, NC for other works of the artist as well as those of other local well-known "Trashformationists" like Rolf Holmquist and Susan Hayden.

For more information:

Reuser's Guide to Green Living
John's studio: Yummy Mud Puddle

Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the Power of the Purse

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and its local affiliate, the Yancey Foundation, enable many of our local non-profits to make a significant difference in our community.

One of the estate owners at The Cove at Celo Mountain was a former chair and board member of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina in Asheville and is actively involved with the Yancey Foundation. View the video explaining how the Yancey Foundation has been able to distribute $475,000 in grants and still have a permanent endowment of more than $250,000. Listen to many of our community leaders and fund recipients tell of the crucial impact the foundation has had on Yancey County.

Join women from Burnsville and The Cove at Celo Mountain at the CFWNC Power of the Purse luncheon on May 23 in Asheville featuring philanthropist Jennifer Buffett. "Buffett is co-chair and president of the NoVo Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on creating a more just and balanced world based on cooperation and compassion, primarily through the empowerment of girls and women.

In September 2008, Jennifer and her husband Peter received the Clinton Global Citizen Award for their 'visionary leadership and sustainable, scalable work in solving pressing global challenges.' In December 2009, they were named among Barron’s top 25 most effective philanthropists. In 2010, Jennifer was chosen by President Clinton to be a founding member of Clinton Global Initiative’s young global leaders cohort, “CGE LEAD.” The Buffets work in philanthropy began in 1997 when Peter’s parents, Susan and Warren Buffett, bequeathed Jennifer and Peter a small charitable fund.

Proceeds from Power of the Purse benefit The Women’s Fund, a CFWNC permanent endowment to support the unmet needs of women and girls in the region."

To register for Power of the Purse (This is usually a sell-out event, so early registration is recommended.) Over 1,000 people gathered to hear Cokie Roberts at last year's event.

A Beautiful Sanctuary Setting - Hiking along the Water Features within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Hiking along the waterfalls, creeks and trout ponds - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

It was a beautiful 65-degree spring day today - perfect for hiking the 3 miles of manicured trails within the sanctuary setting of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. For more of this mesmerizing beauty, enjoy the following slideshow from photos taken just a few hours ago.