In the heart of Asheville’s Blue Ridge Mountains, a remarkable transformation is underway. Discarded objects, once destined for landfills, are finding new life as powerful works of art. This metamorphosis takes center stage at the Connect Beyond Festival, where artist Lonnie Holley turns trash into treasure. His work challenges our views on waste and inspires environmental action. Let’s explore how one man’s trash becomes a community’s artistic treasure, sparking creativity and change.
Key Takeaways
– The Connect Beyond Festival in Asheville, NC, transforms trash into art, focusing on environmental awareness and community action.
– The festival takes place from June 7-9, 2024, featuring performances, panels, film screenings, and workshops.
– Lonnie Holley, an artist known for using discarded objects, is a key figure at the festival, showcasing how waste can become meaningful art.
– Holley will lead a recycled art workshop and a performance to inspire environmental consciousness.
– The festival encourages visitors to rethink waste, highlighting the connection between creativity and environmental care.
– Jessica Tomasin, the festival’s founder, aims to amplify underrepresented voices and foster community strength through diverse programming.
– The event includes a Solutions Journalism panel to explore how storytelling can drive social change.
– The festival’s impact extends beyond its duration, aiming for lasting community engagement and social impact.
The Connect Beyond Festival Experience
From June 7-9, 2024, downtown Asheville, North Carolina, will buzz with creativity during the Connect Beyond Festival. This three-day event offers a mix of performances, panels, film screenings, and workshops. All activities aim to spark talks and inspire action on global issues. Main events will happen at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Community activities will take place at 9 Emma Road.
The festival stands out by blending fun and learning. It focuses on climate issues, Indigenous rights, and community strength. This creates a space for meaningful talks and real change. Visitors can enjoy shows and learn new things. They’ll also get to meet artists, activists, and experts from different fields. For those seeking a more immersive experience in the area’s natural beauty, Spacious Skies Hidden Creek in nearby Marion offers a perfect retreat with its family-friendly camping options and outdoor amenities.
Lonnie Holley: The Trash-to-Treasure Artist
Lonnie Holley is the star of this year’s festival. His work shows the event’s spirit of change and strength. Holley’s journey as an artist is as amazing as his creations. He’s known for seeing value in things others throw away. This skill has made him famous as an “insider’s outsider artist.” His work bridges the gap between folk art and modern expression.
Holley’s recent works, like “We Are the Fruits of Their Labor” and “Adding to the Foundation (Honoring Daddy James),” show his unique talent. He gives deep meaning to found objects. Art Basel’s feature highlights how these pieces reflect Holley’s creative style and spiritual insights. This makes him perfect for the Connect Beyond Festival’s goal of inspiring change through art.
Holley’s Contributions to the Connect Beyond Festival
During the festival, Holley will lead a special recycled art workshop. He’ll show how harmful waste can become thought-provoking art. This hands-on experience will reveal Holley’s creative process. It will also share powerful messages about environmental disasters and community action.
Besides the workshop, Holley will give a performance that promises to be visually stunning and meaningful. He’ll use his art to highlight the urgent need for environmental awareness and group action. Festival-goers will see how art can drive change. They’ll be inspired to rethink their relationship with the environment and their role in protecting it.
Community Engagement and Environmental Activism
The Connect Beyond Festival uses art and stories to engage the community. Holley’s work is a perfect example of this approach. By turning local trash into art, the festival links creativity and environmental care. This connection grows stronger through a community trash pickup event. The event not only cleans up Asheville but also provides materials for Holley’s art.
Holley’s art powerfully shows the festival’s environmental themes. He gives new life to discarded objects. This challenges visitors to rethink their buying habits and see value in things they might throw away. This approach fits perfectly with the festival’s goal of building community strength and inspiring real change.
Jessica Tomasin’s Vision for Connect Beyond
Jessica Tomasin is the driving force behind the Connect Beyond Festival. Her vision has shaped this unique event. Voyage ATL’s profile shows Tomasin’s background in music and community work. It highlights her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making a positive impact. Her experience with Jet Up Productions has shaped the festival’s approach. It mixes elements of film festivals, TED talks, and intimate music shows to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Tomasin is committed to highlighting underrepresented voices and artists. This is clear from the festival’s diverse lineup. By bringing together creators like Lonnie Holley with activists, journalists, and community leaders, Connect Beyond creates a rich mix of views and ideas. This approach not only makes the festival better but also ensures that many voices are heard in talks about climate change, social justice, and community strength.
The Broader Impact of Connect Beyond Festival
The Connect Beyond Festival aims to inspire real action beyond its art shows and workshops. The Solutions Journalism panel, led by Jules Hotz, will explore how media can help solve social problems. The panel, titled “Rebalanced: Solutions Journalism for Turbulent Times,” will show how storytelling can drive positive change.
The festival’s impact lasts longer than its three days. It gives visitors concrete steps for community engagement and social impact. Connect Beyond wants to create waves of change that will be felt long after the last show ends. The mix of artistic inspiration, practical workshops, and thought-provoking talks creates fertile ground for new ideas and projects to grow.
Conclusion
As the Connect Beyond Festival ends, its message lingers: every discarded object holds potential. Lonnie Holley’s art reminds us that change is possible, not just for trash, but for our communities and our planet. The next time you’re about to throw something away, ask yourself: could this be art? Could this spark change? In Asheville and beyond, the answer is a resounding yes. For those inspired to continue their journey of discovery and connection with nature, consider extending your stay at Spacious Skies Hidden Creek, where the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains meets comfort and family-friendly amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FFAQ)
Q: What is the Connect Beyond Festival?
A: The Connect Beyond Festival is a three-day event in Asheville, North Carolina, that combines art, performances, and workshops to inspire discussions and actions on global issues like climate change and community strength.
Q: Who is Lonnie Holley?
A: Lonnie Holley is an artist known for turning trash into art. He is featured at the festival, showcasing his work and leading a recycled art workshop.
Q: When and where does the festival take place?
A: The festival takes place from June 7-9, 2024, in downtown Asheville, with main events at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Q: What can visitors expect at the festival?
A: Visitors can enjoy performances, panels, film screenings, and workshops. They can meet artists, activists, and experts, and participate in activities like a community trash pickup.
Q: What themes does the festival focus on?
A: The festival focuses on climate issues, Indigenous rights, community strength, and inspiring real change through art and storytelling.
Q: How does Lonnie Holley contribute to the festival?
A: Lonnie Holley leads a workshop on creating art from recycled materials and performs to highlight environmental awareness and action.
Q: What is the goal of the Connect Beyond Festival?
A: The goal is to inspire real action and community engagement through a mix of artistic inspiration, practical workshops, and thought-provoking discussions.