OUR TEAM OUR STORY SERVICES FAQ

Curatorial Team

Services Team MICHAEL MANES
Director + Co-Owner
m.manes@bluespiral1.com
MICHAEL MANES
Services Team BLAIR GUGGENHEIM
Assistant Director
b.guggenheim@bluespiral1.com
BLAIR GUGGENHEIM
Services Team CASEY ENGEL_ PPFA
Exhibitions Coordinator + Certified Framer
c.engel@bluespiral1.com
CASEY ENGEL, PPFA
Services Team JACKSON MCMAHON
Preparator + Shipping Coordinator
j.mcmahon@bluespiral1.com
JACKSON McMAHON
Services Team BETHANY PIERCE
Registrar + Consultant
b.pierce@bluespiral1.com
BETHANY PIERCE
Services Team GRANT BARBOUR
GRANT BARBOUR

Our Story, Past and Present:

 

Founder, John Cram (1948 - 2020), opened Blue Spiral 1 on New Year’s Eve of 1990 with a vision of creating a home for the many artists who had settled in the region in the mid-to-late 20th century. Additionally, he needed a suitable space to exhibit the recently acquired estate of Southern Modernist, Will Henry Stevens (1881 - 1949).

At the time Cram opened Blue Spiral 1, Asheville was a shell of itself. Having suffered through the post-industry recession, downtown buildings were boarded up and artists were moving to the area because the rent was cheap and the scenery, inspiring. Cram recognized a need, took a chance, and made an investment that altered the trajectory of visual culture in Asheville. What was once a defunk radio supply shop flanked by an adult theatre and plumbing supply store, is now one of the largest and busiest galleries in the South. Three decades later, Blue Spiral 1 is the heart of a booming art scene in downtown Asheville.

For 30 years, Blue Spiral 1 has exhibited work by artists and makers in a three-story, multi-gallery setting. Maintaining a diverse and extensive exhibition schedule, the gallery presents over 25 shows annually. Thematic group exhibitions and individual artist showcases rotate in the Main and Lower Level galleries every other month, while the gallery's Upper Level features a wide array of works by over 100 represented artists.

Services
Art Consulting
Blue Spiral 1 provides full art consulting and installation services for commercial and residential spaces. Our professional staff will assist individuals and businesses with everything from the acquisition of single works of art to the development of larger private and corporate collections.
Installation and Shipping
Blue Spiral 1 offers in-house consultation as well as complementary installation for our regional clients. To those outside our region, secure shipping and installation is offered at an additional rate.
Please contact us to inquire about our Art Consulting and Installation Services.
"Our client was able to select a variety of original artwork options for their home. The team at Blue Spiral brought the artwork out to the client''s home for them to see the options in their space. Once the final selections were made, the artwork was hung and that was it. They made the selection & purchase of original local artwork, simple & easy!"
- Allard + Roberts Interior Design, Inc.

Frequently asked questions

We curate and open 4-5 new shows every other month beginning in January. Join our mailing list to learn more about our current and upcoming exhibitions and happenings.

It is free to visit the gallery and all artwork is for sale!

Yes, we allow non-flash photography when visiting the gallery. If you want to share your experience with others via social media or other platforms we ask that you tag the gallery and artists accordingly.

Yes! We offer a layaway program for purchases over a certain amount. Our layaway program is interest free and can extend up to 12 months pending the price of the artwork.

There is public metered street parking in front of the gallery and on close by side streets. There are also two public parking garages close by. One to the North and one to the South of the gallery. If you just need to run in quickly there is a “loading zone” just South of the gallery in front of Barley’s Taproom.

Absolutely – We ship nationwide and internationally through FedEx. Shipping fees are based on the weight, dimensions, and material of the artwork in addition to the recipient’s location. If you ship out of the state of NC, there is no sales tax applied to the sale. Recipients are responsible for duties and taxes for international shipments. Regarding deliveries, we offer complimentary delivery and installation for our regional clients. To clients outside of our region we use a white glove art handling service. We also provide full art consulting and installation services for commercial and residential spaces. Our professional staff will assist individuals and businesses with everything from the acquisition of single works of art to the development of larger private and corporate collections.

Sunday - Tuesday: 11-5 Wednesday - Saturday: 11-6
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.