Black Mountain, North Carolina

Black Mountain is an art community with a long history. In the 1930’s a liberal arts college was founded here. The mountains were an ideal setting for the cultivation of creativity. Many progressive artists and thinkers were produced from this school. Refugees escaping Hitler’s plight also were in attendance. Sadly, the college closed in 1957 but the arts remain in this community.

Let’s start our tour at the art gallery. Here’s what greets you at the door, what a great idea for planter decorations..

Then inside even more creativity..

The Gallery also has classes for young and old along with performing arts camps for kids. What fun that would be.. Ballet, pottery, drawing and painting as well as Dungeon and Dragons were some of the class offerings for Spring 2021. Check out their web site for more info at BlackMountainArts.org.

Walking through the town don’t miss the murals painted on building facades.

And who knew… Roberta Flack was born in Black Mountain. A fitting tribute to a woman with an angelic voice.

Then some fun stores..

At Fairy Hair you can get the newest rage done – shiny silk added to your locks and then purchase a new outfit on the stores other wing. And they even had a $5 rack outside!

Another fun shop … here you can get books or a children’s gift for the child who has everything…

Black Mountain had rail service at one time. There are placards giving much information with a train displayed from the era. And the depot remains with another interesting shop.

An artist’s depiction of the actual depot.

Some of the treasures found in the depot

And let’s not forget the restaurants.. There were Thai, Cuban, Italian, German, to name a few. Since Black Mountain is a short 30 mile drive from my home base I plan to return weekly to visit a different restaurant each week. Prices were reasonable and all had a pleasant ambience.