ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — ArtsAVL will honor Andrea Clark, the late photographer and historian, with an award at the 2026 State of the Arts Brunch, which will also feature the presentation of the Asheville–Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework.
What is the State of the Arts Brunch?
ArtsAVL, the Asheville area arts council, will host the State of the Arts Brunch, an annual event for artists, community leaders, nonprofits and other members of the artistic public, at 10 a.m., Monday, June 1 at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville.
The brunch will feature the public presentation of a draft of the Asheville–Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework, “a comprehensive cultural recovery and development strategy created through research, stakeholder engagement and alignment with existing community plans,” ArtsAVL wrote in a press release.
What does the Asheville-Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework cover?
The framework tackles several areas of focus, including:
- Arts districts
- Arts infrastructure
- Creative economies
- Live/work space for creatives
- Support systems for arts businesses
During the presentation, the public is invited to provide live feedback on the plan through an interactive engagement process.
Who was Andrea Clark?
Andrea Clark, a local photographer, historian and archivist, spent years capturing the life and culture of Black people in Asheville and across Buncombe County.
“Clark dedicated decades to documenting Black life, neighborhoods, churches, businesses, traditions and community leaders,” ArtsAVL wrote in the release. “Through her photography, oral histories and advocacy, she helped preserve stories and histories that might otherwise have been lost. Clark passed away earlier this year, leaving behind a profound legacy of cultural stewardship and community memory.”
To honor the work of Clark, the 2026 John Cram Arts Leadership Award will be awarded to her memory during the brunch.
“Andrea Clark’s work fundamentally shaped how Asheville understands and remembers its own history,” said Katie Cornell, executive director of ArtsAVL. “She preserved stories, spaces and communities that are essential to the cultural identity of this region. It is an honor to recognize her legacy through this year’s Crammy Award.”
To register for the event, or to find more information, visit www.artsavl.org/brunch.
