Carl Powell: 50 Years of Glass & Photography
Grovewood Gallery is pleased to present Carl Powell: 50 Years of Glass & Photography, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the remarkable career of Asheville artist Carl Powell. The exhibition will open with a reception on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 2–5pm, offering visitors the opportunity to meet the artist. On view through April 5, 2026, this special showcase brings together Powell’s evocative photographs alongside his innovative glass sculptures.
Powell’s photographs reflect a lifetime of observation, travel, and curiosity. “These photos are the result of 50 years of carrying a camera constantly for most of my life,” Powell explains. “The majority were taken with film, though I moved into digital in recent years. I love photographing people in interesting situations and places with unusual compositions.” Many of the images on display were carefully selected from thousands of negatives, then professionally printed to highlight Powell’s eye for the unexpected.
Equally compelling are Powell’s glass sculptures, which demonstrate the technical mastery and creative vision that have defined his career since the 1970s. A National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient and resident artist at Grovewood Village since 1999, Powell is recognized for his innovative beveling techniques that transform glass into kinetic, multi-faceted compositions. His works often create optical illusions and invite closer inspection, bridging the gap between fine art and architectural design.
Powell’s contributions to the field of glass are significant. His work has appeared in New Glass Review (The Corning Museum of Glass) and Americans in Glass, a three-year traveling exhibition to major museums (1978–1981). In the early 1980s, Dale Chihuly personally invited Powell to teach at Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, where he instructed for three years.
Over the decades, his glass commissions have included projects for the City of Anchorage, the University of Florida, the International Olympic Committee, and, most recently, seven stained glass windows for the Van Dyke Performance Space in Greensboro, NC. His pieces are also held in the private collections of notable figures, including Robert Rauschenberg, Dale Chihuly, and Tess Harper.
Through glass and photography, Carl Powell has spent 50 years capturing light, form, and story. Carl Powell: 50 Years of Glass & Photography at Grovewood Gallery offers a unique opportunity to explore this creative journey.
Sponsored by Metro Wines
This exhibition is sponsored by Metro Wines, located at 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville.
Parking
Free parking is available on-site at Grovewood Village; however, parking is relatively limited, and carpooling is always encouraged. The Grove Park Inn does have a parking garage directly across the street from us. From January 6 through September 30, parking rates will be as follows: The first hour of day parking is complimentary. After that, 1-3 hours is $14 and 3-6 hours is $24.
Have questions about this event?
Please email us at info@grovewood.com.