2016 Annual Reportconnecting cultures & creating

community through music & arts

What is a day like in the life of LEAF? There is a weaving of cultural arts educations pro-grams for youth happening across our local and global communities, logistics and event planning, global engagement, donor and member connections, exploring funding resources, taking good care of LEAF teaching artists, collaborating with partners, designing marketing pieces, booking future performing artists, reflection, taking care of festival goers and ven-dors, keeping the 2020 vision for the future guiding steps forward, and lots of LEAF Love!

As I visualize a typical day a few scenes come to life that remind me of why we do what we do: Arusha One Mic teens wait eagerly at the studio door with their new songs in hand they plan to record, Cristina and her younger sister arrive at El Tejar and quickly pick up their mandolin and guitar and start practicing while their friends join, Easel Rider Art Mobile is on the move to Shiloh and today the kids will learn the traditions of talking sticks and make ones to take home, Nex is teaching his One Mic students at Burton St. how to mix their beats, Karen practices her jazz notes with Mr. Gary, and 68 kids are at the LEAF house in Kigali eagerly soaking up the Rwandan dances. Cultural arts & music are alive in the neighborhoods!

As we take a look back to 2016, I am fill with an abundance of gratitude for a year that changed the future of LEAF! The LEAF Love Endowment Fund journey to reach the $1mil-lion goal was a guiding action of the year. It changed my life, LEAF, and the future of LEAF programs. Over the year, myself along with board and staff spent sweet time one on one with many longtime LEAFers. They shared their LEAF traditions, stories and why LEAF & the mission is important to them and their passions. I was overwhelmed by the generos-ity, kindness, and connection as well as hearing the impact LEAF had in people’s lives and families.

During LEAF Festival in October, the $1million pledge goal was reached by pledges from 96 generous donors with the final gift being from LEAF Member Charles Gwinn who asked years ago, “Does LEAF have an endowment fund?”. The full circle was very LEAFy!

Table of Contents:

A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR

What does this journey mean for LEAF’s future impact in the world? As the pledges are fulfilled and the endowment fund grows, LEAF is assessing LEAF Schools & Streets and International programs for impact and importance in community development, youth healthy development and cultural preservation. In addition, we are reviewing strength of partnerships and community needs. The LEAF Love Endowment Fund will empower us to shift from one year partnerships to life long sustaining partnerships! Imagine being able to say to Alexis Rodriquez, Ngabe-Bugle Culture Keeper, Prosjekt Haiti, Deaverview Com-munity, and others that LEAF is committing to always supporting the LEAF program in your community as long as the goals for Healthy Youth Development, community build-ing and cultural preservation goals are being honored and met. You can count on LEAF! For any community, especially those with limited resources and fragile history, this depth of commitment deepens the connections and expands the possibilities for now and future generations.

It is our hope, this annual report gives you a glimpse of LEAF’s impact, dedication and moments of life-changing magic. If you would like to learn more or share, myself or another lead staff is available for a walk or tea. Just contact the LEAF office.

LEAF Love & Gratitude,

Jennifer Pickering | Executive Director

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Executive Director Letter . B

LEAF Board 2016 ........1

Highlights .............. 2

Membership ........... 3

LEAF Schools and Streets ................ 4

Financials ............. 6

LEAF Love Report ...... 8

Sponcer and Staff ... 10

2016 LEAF Board:

James Fisher, President

Reggie Tidwell, Vice President

Jill Jones, Treasurer

Mary O’Dwyer, Secretary

Derek Allen

Jen Beasley

Gary Broome

Tracy Massiello Brown

Katie Christie

Ashley Cooper

Cleaster Cotton

Christine DiBenedetto

Bill Feste

Tommy George

Cliff Hotchkiss

Holt Moore

Robert Todd

Jody Whitehurst

Bob Deutsch & Sean Devereux,

LEAF Attorneys

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www.theleaf.org

• LEAF Djembeso, a group of West African drummers and dancers led by djembefola Adama Dembele, launches at Christine W. Avery Learning Center.

• LEAF Southside Drummers & LEAF Delta House Jazz Band journey to the epic HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Battle of the Bands held in Atlanta, GA.

LEAF 2016 HIGHLIGHTS

LEAF Members are the Heart and Soul of Our Community. By supporting LEAF’s arts education programs, members are a part of a global movement promoting arts education, culture, and connectivity. 100% of MemberSHIP dues support our programs, locally and globally.

LEAF MEMBERSHIP

• LEAF Deaverview Dance Crew was invited to perform at the halftime show for the 2016 SoCon (Southern Basketball Conference) College Championship at US Cellular Center.

• LEAF’s Burton Street ONEmic Studio expands adding three new programs (in addition to its hip hop culture; DJing and grafitti art) bringing West African Drumming; Singer-Songwriting Sessions and Hip Hop Dance into the Burton Street community.

Your top program highlights from 2016 :

• LEAF International Bequia attends LEAF Festival to perform for the 2nd time in the United States at LEAF Festival.

• LEAF International Rwanda Intore performs and shares their story at the October ’16 Member’s Party at LEAF Festival.

• LEAF successfully completes the LEAF Love Fund Campaign, a capital campaign to build a $1 million Endowment Fund.

• LEAF Festival acknowledges the widespread Cuban influence on music and arts with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Featured musicians included Juan de Marcos & the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Danay Suarez, Pedrito Martinez, Tizer and many others at the 42nd LEAF Festival!

• LEAF launches ‘LEAF Radio’, a community radio program as a part of the WPVM 103.7FM station’s collection of voices.

Member Quote: “The place where my soul goes to find comfort and renewal. That “place” is far more than the festival, but the family and the mission that is LEAF.” - Charles Gwinn, LEAF Member and LEAF

Endowment Fund Founding Donor

BenefactorPamela Allen | Marc Bolick | Brett & Robyn | Faith Brunmeier Butterfield | Alyssondra Campaigne | Mike (Lauren) Carroll (Hinkel) | Salvatore Clarizio | Edward & Kristan Dewey | Nancy Duncan | Paul Fetcho | Sarah Ford | Eric & Jen Heller | Patrick Ilderton | Julie Jensen | Jill Jones | Bruce Kabat | Bruce M Koloseike | Margie Lovoy | Sara Lyter | Mary Odwyer | Landon & Abigale Ortiz | Rodger Perry | Therese Piazza | Jennifer Picker-ing | Olivia Post | Christy Ramm | Kathy Runion | Sarah Schuelke | Layne Smith | Miranda Wildman | Kenneth Wilson | James Wyman

Cultural AmbassadorBarbara & Jacque Benisch-Allen | Brooke Budde | Sherrye Coggiola | Michael A Compton | Irma & Arthur | Miller Family Foundation | Heather Gradison | Charles Gwinn | Jennifer & Holt Moore | Chuck & Dini Pickering

FamilyDavid & Heather Abernathy | Derek Allen | Rodney Apple | Alyssa Augustine | David Baker | Beverly Barfield | Stuart Bell | Judith Berger | Deborah Ber-kowitz | Susan Bogardus | Rebecca Bottorff | Gordon Brown |Nita Brunner|Jeffrey Bryant|Scott Bunn|Nan Byars|Mary K (Katy) Calloway|Jason Campbell | Jordi & Kristen Castells | Amy Cavanaugh | Ryan & Becca Cecil | Joel Chisholm | Ilise Cohen | Lillian Cruz | Mary Culver | Victor Curatolo | Giles Davis | Chris Delozier | Katherine Devine | Erin Dickinson | Angelika & Justin Drew | Robert Eckstein | Robyn & Doug Evans | Darcy & Sean Fagan | Alec Fernandez | William Feste | James Fisher | Joseph Fitzgerald | Jason Flassing | George Fleming | Debbie Fleming | Rick Fornoff | Craig & Sky Fraker | Roy Garris | Ken Gaylord | Daniel Glusman | Donna Grammatico | David Gray | Michael Greenwald | Alice Gray Gregory | Lisa-Gaye Hall | Brian & Susan Harden | Benjamin Harris | Evar & Rebecca Hecht | Dyan Heineck | Lee Heyne | Norman Hill | James Hines | Devorah Holan|| Dana Holmes | Amy and Nadar Kawar | Stephen Kay | Kim Keifrider | Robert Kistenberg | Edward Kizer | Jennifer Kulick | Joanie Lamb | Kim LaViolette | Suzy Lawrence | Carol A. Lawrence |Emily Lawrence|Terra Lee|Natascha Leitner|Megan Lem-mond|Veronica Lindsey|Leigh Maher | Debbie Mann | Lindsay McKinnon | Barak Mowery | Elizabeth Mullen | John Nicholson | Timothy Novak | Patricia Orsini |Gina Padilla | Robert Parkman | Margaret Pearl | Eleanor Perkins | Kimberly Peterson | Sam & Katherine Pittenger | Jason Powell | Samantha Read-Smith | Stephanie Renaud | Gail Richman | Tom & Kay Rickman | Robert Robinson | Peter Rosal | Adina Rudisch | Dr Steven Saul | Kathy Saunders | Pete Sawyer | Dave Schell | Brady Schroeder | Brian Silver | Jason Sperati | Elizabeth Spero | Tom Starnes | Big Rick Stevenson | Richard & Linda Tedesco | Nicole Temple | Reggie Tidwell | Ed Tomczak | Ensor Utz | Hilda Van Hoek | Neal Ward | Jana Watts | Jack Webb | Kathryn E Wells | Frederick White | Shawna Wilkinson | Eliza R Williams | Brian Willis | Wiley Wimberly | Beth & John Woodson | Marla Zafft

IndividualStephanie Adams | John Adams | Katherine Adams | Susan Albee | Lisa Almaraz | Sally Avery | Diane Barber | Brandi Bedrosian | Frank & Betty Bell | William (Bill) Benning | Tasha Blakney | John Bouda | Adam Bowers | Jarod Brown | Chris Bubenik | Eve Burton | Thomas

Cahill IV | Judith Canero | Emily Carleton | John Cary | Kyle Chapin | Leon Christion Jr | Julie Cochrane | Marcie Coltman | Diette Crockett | Robyn Diamond | Susan DuBois | Mark Durbin | Sterling Eason | Karin Eckert | Denise Ann Elmore | Corey Freeman | Joyce Frei | Sheryl Geisler | Simon George | Jamie Goodman | Yaacov Gothard | Locke Harvey | Susan Hawthorne | Mary Hay | Kurt Hill | Judith Hoover | Suzanne Hosch | Richard House | Aidan Hoyal | Andrew Huggins | Larry Irwin | Amelia Jackson | Ava Jahoda | Richard Jones | Marissa Jones | David Joseph | Suzanne Kelmartin | Jo Ann Kelvin | Sarah Kent | David Kessinger | Jennifer Knowles | Christopher Latta | Jaime Lawrence | Kristi Lawton | Brian Leach | Val Lyle | Deborah Maddalena | Jane Malone | Dale Mann | Ed Manning | Kathy Martin | Irene Matiatos Russo | Michael McGowan | Edie Mcpolin | K. Allen | Millsapps | Katharine Mitchell | Ste-phen Dunn Moody | Virginia Moreland | Andrea Morris | Nicole Mosteller | Nancy Murphy | Evetta Nathwani | Shelby Nelson | Jeremy Noble | Rusty Odom | Rebecca Patch | Laura Patch | Dharmesh Patel | Shayne Peninger | Kieran Roe | Deborah Rowan | Michelle Ruggieri | Michael G & Alana Sherman | M. Julie Sherman | Marlin Sill | Wilson Sims | Maria Smith | Linda D. Smith | Lia Solursh | Harold Southern | Gail Steele | Patricia Strang | Jim & Kathy Sublett | Kenda Sweet | Philip Szmedra | Clark Taylor | Murrell Timmons | Goshen Trout | Larry Turner | Carmelo Velez | Karen Vickers | Michelle Ward | Kevin Westmoreland | Susan Rebekah Wiggins | Kristy Wilson | Gretchen Wilson | Alan Wind | Maria Wise | Lori Wollenberg | Sarah Wright | Fay Yee| Wesley Young

PatronJennifer Beasley | Ivi & Jennifer Bilich | Jim Bird | Faith Bishop-Rogers | Scott Brown | Scott Davidson | Jennifer English | Patrick George | Tommy & Debbie George | Jane Girskis | Lucy Hazebrook | Doc & Fran Hensley | Adrienne Holcomb | David Jeckewicz | Kellie & Joe Kiely | Alston Kirk | Patricia A & Michael Lee & Kunzle | Wren London & Robert Todd | Sarah & Brad Martin | Doug & Darcy Orr | Dennis & Valerie Patenotte | Kippy Perkins | Peace. Love. Happiness | Devorah Rosenberg | Julie & Roy Smith | Gregg Swentor | John Tosco | Curtis & Nan Williams | Robert Willis | Stephen & Roxanne Wilmans | David Winston | Marsha Wolland | Mike & Lisa Zinsmeister

SupporterErica Bell | Gene Bell | Chochie Bereng | Marion Boone | Gary Broome | Dianna Cross | Tara Dorundo | Brent Garvin | Miller Graves | Carole Ann Greene | Ed Guzowski | Andrea Holtz | Jinx Jenkins | Michael Keen | Blaise & Cathy Kielar | Joe Lurie | Sebastian Matthews | Marcos Roberts | Rebecca Simmons | Phoebe Taylor | Jennifer Waite

SupporterSarah Archer | Bill Boardman | Sonya Costello | Kyley Cross | Bahram Dahi | Sean Fortier | Jaleesa Franks | Jessica Lee Gerson | Nancy Griffin | Lightning Griffith | Sherry Griffith | Elbert Hargrave | Sid Heilbraun | Pete Hutchens | Farhad Javid I |Audrey Kanapaux | Wanda Lester | Madison Link | Jim Ludwig | Paul McGuire | Sharon McGuire | Stephanie Milani | Stephanie Patch | Molly Pritchard | Dianne Prohn | Jason Putnam | Ashley Riddle | Joseph Schreiber | Starr Silvis | Rhonda Smith | Gail Snowdon | Walker Spruill | Anne Squires | Brad Squires | Victoria Taylor | Margot Wallston | Marcus Whitson | Jeff Yusem | Melissa Squires-Haun

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www.theleaf.org

Late in January 2016, LEAF Southside Drummers, LEAF Delta House Jazz Band, their Teaching Artists (Gary, Imhotep, Katie & Logan), Community Coordinators, and parents hit the road to Atlanta for the 14th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands. The LEAF crew of 40 were mezmerized with this inspirational journey to appreciate and celebrate this powerhouse musical tradition of the country’s top marching bands from Historically Black Coleges and Universities (HBCUs). The “battle” featured bold stunning musical perfor-mances, choreography, and finale’ drumline. Hardly anyone could believe it when Ludacris and Musiq Soulchild performed as surprise guests. The powerful journey was supported by many from the LEAF family, including a free lunch from Raging Burrito!

LEAF SCHOOLS AND STREETS

Total partners - 16

Delta House Life Development, Inc.

Christine W. Avery Learning Center

Maybin Mission

Children First/Communities in Schools

YWCA of Asheville

Asheville City Schools Foundation/In Real Life (IRL)

Asheville Parks & Recreation

YMCA 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Project JUNTOS

UNC-Asheville Center for Diversity Education

HACA: Residents Council

Green Opportunities (GO!)

Hood Huggers International

Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Buncombe County

US Army Reserves

Asheville Downtown Association

Neighborhoods served - 10

Deaverview, Woodridge, Pisgah View, Southside (Wesley Grant Center & Edington Center), Burton Street, Hillcrest, Stephens Lee, Shiloh, Montford, Black Mountain/Swannanoa

In 2016, Easel Rider attended 63 events in Buncombe County!

More than 4,500 youth served

11 Easel Rider Teaching Artists employed

Attended 63 events

Awarded Asheville Area Art Council’s Art in the Park Grant for the 3rd year in a row to provide cultural art instruction in Pritchard Park for 10 weeks during the summer.

Served 24,000 Festival attendees, families and members at LEAF Festival (May/Oct)

Served as a focal point of the 2nd annual LEAF Downtown, with an estimated 15,000+ in attendance.

“Because of LEAF, I have seen music in New Orleans AND Atlanta!” - Karen Young, LEAF Delta House Jazz Band Student

2016 Data:

Developmental Assets Report - what were our annual totals from ALL surveyed youth?

Community Values Youth

60% of youth reported being more valued by the community as a result of the LEAF experience

Cultural Competency

78% of youth reported learning about another culture as a result of the LEAF experience.

Creative Arts

100% of parents reported that their youth enjoyed their LEAF classes and festival experience.

Personal Power

86% of youth reported new expressions of creativity as a result of their LEAF experience.

Self-Esteem

92% of parents reported that their child had higher self esteem as a result of their LEAF experience.

Adult Role Models

78% of parents reported seeing positive changes in their child’s behavior as a result of LEAF Schools & Streets programming.

Resident Teaching Artist Profiles - Listed here.

Of those listed, please include Katie Oaks + Santos (using bio from previous grants and reports is okay) and exclude Ashley Rivera

GRAND Totals: TO DATE Jun 13, 2017

502 artist’s programs (+enrichment Fridays at WRS)

325 programs in schools

447 different arts education programs

45 after-school programs/community centers

4 low-income housing communities

3 correctional facilities

11,328 youth through Easel Rider activities

70, 698 youth experiencing residencies, workshops or performances since 2004

7, 686 youth performing @ LEAF updated 6/13/17

Currently 8,000+ youth served annually

Year-round LSS programming Fall 2016:11 Resident Teaching Artists

17 LSS weekly classes

3 Low-income housing communities

9 Schools

2016 + OVERALL DATA

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www.theleaf.org

LEAF - PROFIT AND LOSS

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www.theleaf.org

LEAF LOVE FUND CAMPAGN REPORT

LEAF Endowment Fund

Grand Total: ...................................................................................................... $1,009,267Donations Received to Date: ....................................................................$313,046Campaign Expenses (2014…now): .......................... $36,396.30 (4% of total earned)

Total People Who Gave: .........................................................................................96How did gifts come in? .........................................................................................90% (or more of pledges came from people who Jennifer, Adam, and members of the board met with in person)

Gifts from Current Donors: .....................................................................................65Gifts from New Donors: ............................................................................................29Average Gift Size: ................................................................................................$10,736Median Gift Size: ....................................................................................................$3,000

David & Heather AbernathyDerek & Elizabeth AllenPatricia Anderson & Pamela Reid In Honor of George PickeringAnonymous – In memory of our dear friend, Harlan RichardsonAnonymous (x9)Carol & Mark AntmanAshkouti FamilyBarley’s Taproom & PizzeriaJen BeasleyErica BellBarbara Benisch & Jacque AllenIvi Bilich and Jennifer TwiggsRichard BlomgrenGary BroomeFaith Butterfield In Memory of Nicholas B. PickellDon & Alexandra ClaytonMichael ComptonAshley CooperCleaster CottonJohn Crossland IIIDaly & Sawyer ConstructionMr. & Mrs. Charles DanielBob & Carol DeutschJames H. Diaz Jr.Christine DiBenedetto In Honor of Hennie & Xavier CallawayDoug & Jennifer EnglishBill FesteFilivia FoundationHedy FischerKate and James FisherMark FogasTommy & Debbie George – In Memory of Mitzi GeorgeStrivven Media LLC – Ilya & Kim GorelikRobin Gradison In Memory of Ben GradisonRiver GuerguerianCharles F. GwinnJohn Michael Hale Memorial FundKerri HamptonKelly HansonElbert HargraveLucy Hazebrook & David Hill In memory of Janie Pickering & Helen SchnellerSid & Emily HeilbraunDoc & Fran HensleyAdrienne & Lin HolcombBetsy & David Hooper

Cliff HotchkissPatrick “Pat” IldertonPatrick IldertonBenjamin Jaffee & Jeanette KoehnAnn & Horace Jennings, in Honor of Betty Smith Jennings & Alice SandersJill & Bill Jones In Memory of Everette ErwinButler Jr.Amy & Nader Kawar of Enter the EarthBlaise & Cathy KielerKen KiserSuzy Lawrence In Honor of Galen Starnes & Pete SpinnetDan Lucas Memorial Fund: Greg LucasBrad & Sarah MartinTracy Massiello-BrownCameron & Courtney MaybinJeff & Ashley MillerGeorge & Linda MilsapsSteve MobergHolt & Jen MooreSarah NieDoug & Darcy Orr – In Memory of Janie PickeringChase & Clary PickeringThe Pickering FamilyDosty Quarrier & Alex QuarrierGail RichmanPete RoeLeila RossCherry & Paul SaengerSalvage StationSarver Realty Group, LLCKalyn SaylorSherafin MusicRandy SiegelDeborah Bryant in Honor or Eddie SmithBachman SmithJoanne & Martin SwensonThe Marks-Nellie-Tidwell FamilyRobert Todd & Wren London In Honor of Wilbur Lee ToddAdrian VassalloKaren & Larry VickersElly Wells Inc.Jody Whitehurst and Anita DiNovoCurtis & Nan WilliamsFord & Emily WillisMike & Lisa Zinsmeister

THANK YOU!

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www.theleaf.org

Also: Asheville Air, Aloft Hotel, Empire Distributor, Skyland Distributing, Prestige Subaru, Enter the Earth, Diamond Brand Outdoors, Frugal Backpacker, Buchi Kombucha, Biltmore Coffee Roasters, Asheville T-shirt Co., Kudzu Brands, Twisted Laurel, Bonefish Grill, Appalachian Realty Associates, 880 The Revolution, Ashe-ville Citizen-Times, Capital at Play, Dig Local Asheville, WCQS

Jennifer Pickering, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Executive Director & Founder

Adam Bowers, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development Director

Ehren Cruz, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performing Arts Director

Schree Chavdarov, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Arts Director

Cortina J. Caldwell, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications Director

Leigh Maher, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Financial Offer & Production

Elena Chu, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief Operations Officer & CFO Assistant

Taylor Densmore, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outreach Support Coordinator

Kyley Cross, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Operations & Customer Service

Stacy Alonzo, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sponsorship Director

Chelcie Spenser, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer Director

LEAF SPONSORSLEAF Festival

Also: Asheville Citizen-Times, Dewees Island Realty, Empire Distributing, Skyland Distributing, Nertworks, WNCW, Blue Ridge Outdoors, Capital at Play, Diamond Brand Outdoors, Frugal Backpacker, U.S. National Whitewater Center, Asheville T-shirt Co., Le Bon Café, Aloft Hotel, Biltmore Coffee Roasters, Enter the Earth, Bellyak, The Littlest Birds, Kudzu Brands, Warren Wilson College, Lichty Guitars, Sundance Power Systems, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, Roots & Fruits Market, Burt’s Bees, Dynamite Roasting Co., Buchi Kombucha, My Newsletter Builder, Appalachian Realty Associates, WCQS

LEAF Downtown

LEAF NAVIGATORS (STAFF)

LARGE IMAGE:

LEAF Community Arts Logo

Contact information with web-site listed

Black Mountain, North Carolina | info@theLEAF.org828.68.MUSIC [686.8742] | www.theleaf.org