Noir Collective AVL is a boutique shop and art gallery by and for Black entrepreneurs. Located in an historic Black business district of downtown Asheville known as The Block, Noir Collective AVL is a community network of wellness warriors, creative activists, and social justice visionaries, cultural keepers and peace makers. Noir Collective AVL believes that collective liberation can be achieved with a community focus on opening greater economic opportunities for access to wealth that has been historically denied to African Americans and other people of color.
Noir Collective AVL occupies space in the YMI Cultural Center, the oldest African American community center in the United States. This building has offered an otherwise unavailable space to African American businesses since 1893. Noir Collective AVL supports BLACK – Black Liberation through Arts, Culture, and Kinship by featuring the ingenuity and talents of local and regional artists, designers and craftspeople. Their mission is simple, “Bringing Black Back to the Block.”
Visitors to Noir Collective AVL can find handmade craft from a number of styles and media. Wearable work on display and for sale includes hats, African fabric wraps and masks, thought tees (contemplative tees), and crochet garments. Original artworks offered include oil, collage, acrylic, and mixed media painting; photography; and textiles. Jewelry offered includes copper rings and bracelets; crystal necklaces and earrings; woven bracelets, necklaces, car charms; wooden earrings; and orgonite. In addition, Noir Collective AVL features many different wellness products.
Hours: Tuesday, by appointment; Wednesday – Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm
