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Art without Borders

44 Live Views 2 In Crowd Hosted by the Odyssey Community school, The Creative Technology & Arts Center will bring together local and visiting artists, musicians, designers and other cutting-edge individuals in a 4500 square foot facility with state-of-the-art… Hosted by the Odyssey Community school, The Creative Technology & Arts Center will bring together local and visiting artists, musicians, designers and other cutting-edge individuals in a 4500 square foot facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

“Think of it as a 2010 modified version of Black Mountain College,” said John Johnson, director of Odyssey Community School. “It’s a dynamic space for people to explore innovative ideas.”

River Guerguerian, head of the new music department, says, “The Center is dedicated to stimulating and encouraging creative minds in every way possible. Our mission is to create a space that attracts people of all ages to cross pollinate ideas and build community in the Asheville area.”
Many local artists and musicians are jumping on board to contribute to this venture. Local musicians Free Planet Radio, Billy Jonas, Kat Williams, River Guerguerian, Mariam Matossian, Keowee Chamber Artists, Akira Satake, Gerald Trimble, Laura Hope-Gill John Vorus, Sage Sansone and Maria VoisinJonas Gerard. will perform at the event. The evening will also include an auction with work donated by such well-received artists as

Guerguerian, a local multi-percussionist, composer and educator who has been a world-renowned performer for over 25 years, will be the Head of the Music Department in the new Center. In addition to teaching and performing at Odyssey Community School, he is setting up his music studio and offering classes this June through Odyssey’s summer camp program. More classes, workshops, and performances hosted by the school will start the 2010-2011 academic year.

After a year of planning, the Center is hosting its first Fundraising Concert and Benefit Auction, Art Without Borders, on June 5th at 7:30. The board’s goal is to raise $35,000, which will complete the first phase of the project. Affectionately referred to as the “barn raising”, it will fund construction for a sound proof music room, a raw arts center (sculpture, wood, ceramics), a fine arts center (drawing, painting, fiber, etc.), a technology center featuring an Apple multi-media lab and a Digital classroom featuring a touch screen Smartboard system and finally, a space for movement / installation / gallery exhibitions. A three dimensional computer generated model of the new space, will be on display at the event.

Gene Felice, director of the Technology, Fine & Raw Arts programs & creator of the 3D design of the new space, says, “We have a rare opportunity to create a multi-disciplinary program that not only encompasses our school, but the greater Asheville Arts Community as well. All of this will be made possible via a diverse visiting artists program, community afterschool classes, adult evening classes, lecture series, special events, etc. With such a ripe space for creation and inspiration, we want to ensure that all of Asheville will benefit from this new, creative environment.” More