Site & Crew
Formerly the site of historic Black Mountain College, presently a kids' summer camp, the Festival grounds sit below Mt. Mitchell with mountain lakes and rolling hills. 600 stunning acres feature rustic cabins, camping areas, hiking trails, climbing walls, tennis courts and two lakes for canoeing, swimming, and the zooming zipline. A portion of the festival grounds adjacent to Camp Rockmont are also available for private functions, weddings, etc. through Lake Eden Events.

LEAF mornings begin with a LEAF Trail Run to get you going or for a more subtle wakeup, partake in Tai Chi and Yoga.

There are so many LEAF outdoor adventure possibilites or just kick back by the lake or at a great mountain campsite and enjoy the scenery.There are so many LEAF outdoor adventure possibilites or just kick back by the lake or at a great mountain campsite and enjoy the scenery.

The location and size makes LEAF one of the best festivals of its size anywhere in the country -- certainly in the Southeast. It's an intimate gathering -- attendance is limited to 5500 people -- in an intimate, private setting. There are ample opportunities for a full range of experiences and expressions, and playful spirits of all ages are welcome

 

A Bit of History

The place, Camp Rockmont, was site of the historic Black Mountain College in the 1940's-50's. Many of the century's most celebrated artists and thinkers attended the college as teachers or students: Albert Einstein, Rauschenberg, Annie Albers, Merce Cunningham, Rothko and Buckminster Fuller (who designed the first geodesic dome here). Prior to BMC, in the early 1900s, E.W. Grove (of the Grove Park Inn and Grove Arcade) developed the land and constructed some wonderful buildings with his trademark native stone fireplaces. Preceeding Grove, The Lake Eden Inn and Resort offered a getaway for people seeking its healing waters and refreshing air.

The first Lake Eden Arts Festival premiered Fall 1996. Since that time, LEAF has become a tradition twice a year, May and October. The name Lake Eden was chosen to honor the lake here at LEAF’s site and the former Lake Eden Inn and Resort. “Arts” was chosen to embrace a broad creative palate and of course it was to be a “festival”. In envisioning the festival, we sought to embrace world cultures, to reflect the creativity of the Asheville area, and design LEAF to complement the stunning landscape.

"What I like about LEAF is sitting in the oak chair in the morning, drinking my coffee, and watching the ducks, and the fog lift off the lake into the mountains and the wonderful parade of people going by. There is an equal representation from ages 0-70 and that makes it feel family, you need kids and old folks. It is well run and competent enough that the local Ace Hardware salesmen as well as the Asheville dreadheads can come and groove."
~Anonymous

Meet the LEAF Crew

150+ energetic festival staff bring their own invaluable talents to help create LEAF. We're so thankful to have such a fantastic staff! When festival time comes many talented and enthusiastic friends come together to make the weekend happen! Check this fun crew out.

“I have for over 25 years experienced many festivals and events all over the USA. LEAF is one of the most organized, interesting, and impressive I have attended.”
-A fellow Festival Owner and organizer

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Jennifer Pickering, Executive Director
  • Leigh Maher, Systems & Production
  • Erica Bell, Development Director
  • Barbara, Customer Service
  • Adina Gordon, Customer Service

BOARD OF DIRECTORS more info

  • Carol Antman, Treasurer
  • Ivica Bilich, Vice President
  • Elbert Hargrave
  • Elizabeth Hunter, President
  • Selena Seabrooks
  • Jim Magill
  • Tracy Masiello, Secretary
  • Wond Haile
  • Sean Devereux
  • Meg McLeod
  • Jaime Perkins
  • Craig Plocica
  • Doug Orr
  • Terri Teague

ARTS TEAM

  • Jane Ware, Design
  • Lonnie Lepore, Web
  • Austen Mikulka, Photos
  • Reggie Tidwell, Photos
  • Jesse Romaine, Video

LEAF 2 Go Merch

  • Travis Stevenson, LEAF 2 Go Merch Director
  • Shayne Penninger
  • Catherine Maher

GATE TEAM

  • Wanda Morgan
  • Tracy Munn
  • Buni Southerland
  • Emily Dunford
  • Marissa Munn
  • Jamie Munn
  • Geoff Bird
  • Regina Dyson
  • Sarah Hipp
  • Joel Marchesoni
  • Cathy Sharkey
  • Rebecca Taylor
  • Jada Bryson

PRODUCTION SET UP/CLEAN UP

  • Aaron Worrell, Production Director
  • Edward Leoshko
  • Chris Love
  • Steven Phillips
  • David Polechko
  • Colin Robertson
  • Cody Stokes

VOLUNTEER TEAM

  • Kate Leroy
  • Carolyn Fryberger
  • Tory Lindsay
  • Denise Mills, Youth Vision Crew

28806 CAFE TEAM

  • 28806 Crew
  • Eric Baker
  • Dava
  • Stacey Tourtellotte
  • Paul Denkenberger

CONCESSIONS TEAM

  • Gerry Sigmon
  • Steve Holcombe
  • Roger Goure
  • Sid Heilbraun
  • Richard Forte
  • Jen Trapp
  • Andrew Marsh
  • Crissa Requate
  • Billy Jack

SECURITY TEAM

  • Barry Creasman
  • Mike Councill
  • Eddie Creasman
  • Bill Creaseman
  • Joe Kidd
  • Lee Blevins
  • Derek Debank
  • Mike Ganey

FIREKEEPERS

  • Chris Orr

FIRST AID TEAM

  • Walter Anderson
  • John Combs
  • Dr. Clay Ballentine
  • Lewis Rogers
  • Phil Edgerton
  • Conrad Reyes
  • Dr. David Hayes

VENDOR TEAM

  • Margaret Miller, Vendor Director
  • Kelly Hanson
  • Brandi Hubiak, Healing Arts Director
  • “Just Joe” Miltner
  • Daniel Mayer
  • Hope Sutton
  • Lindsay Sutton

WATERFRONT TEAM

  • Dianne & Ken Prohn
  • Malvary Gamble
  • Lightnin' Griffith
  • Sherry Griffith
  • Pat Henke
  • Rick & Lola Oswald
  • Edel Seay

LEAF IN SCHOOLS & STREETS
LEAF International

  • Lorraine Addison, Outreach Director
  • Kerri Hampton-Pyle, Director
  • Lori Cozzi
  • Renee Nunez
  • Tom Mangano
  • Jae Peterson
  • MJ Hogan

DEVELOPMENT

  • Billie Merriman

WELCOME TEAM (parking & shuttles)

  • Rodney Marett
  • Walt Reis
  • David Trantham
  • Karl Weller
  • Tom Marett
  • Martha Creasman
  • Lori Marett

* If you are on LEAF Staff but do not see your name, please let us know…

Performing Arts Director

  • Steve Thompson

Stages Tech Manager

  • Dave Hamilton

Performer Check-in Team

  • Allison Jordon
  • Rose Cowells
  • Andre Leslie
  • John Harrill

Performer Support Team

  • Vickie Hensley-King
  • Joe Bolini
  • Scott Keels

Tech Support Team

  • Jay Pisaro
  • Jon Orr
  • John Paul Hess
  • Jeremy Austin
  • Dan Johnston

Brookside Sound

  • Chris Blair
  • Weogo Reed
  • Mike Compton

Eden Hall Team

  • Sierra Hollister
  • Ty Gilpin
  • Matty Smith

Eden Hall Sound

  • Stuart Rinehardt
  • Alan Watts

Kid's Village Director

  • Denisa Rullmoss

Kid's Village Stage/Area Managers

  • Sherry Roane
  • Nancy Griffin
  • Jessica Lee Gerson
  • Rachel Reeser

Kid's Village Sound & Lights

  • Chuck Willard
  • Dave Eshan

Kid's Village Craft Tent

  • Eva Scruggs
  • Brittany Keeler
  • Ali Yeates

Lakeside Stage Team

  • Steve Busey
  • Michael Babb
  • Jeremy Ferguson

Lakeside Hospitality Team

  • Don Talley
  • Tom Sims
  • Steve Breckenridge

Lakeside Security Team

  • Pete Sawyer
  • Greg Kidd
  • Mike Roberts
  • Mike Schilling

Lakeside Sound

  • L&N Sound

Sundance Stage Team

  • Mark Fuller
  • Elise Fuller

Sundance Sound

  • Joe Salvatore Sound Co.