After journeying across Africa, India, and Southeast Asia in the mid-1980s, Jennifer Pickering returned home to Asheville with a heart full of inspiration and a vision to share the beauty of the world she had witnessed. Shaped by her upbringing at Camp Rockmont and her lifelong exposure to diverse communities, she dreamed of creating a space where people could come together to connect through the universal language of art and culture.

That dream took form in 1995 with the birth of the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) at Lake Eden in Black Mountain. From the beginning, LEAF stood apart from traditional music festivals; it became a celebration of diversity and creativity, weaving together music from around the world with poetry, healing arts, and cultural workshops to foster an atmosphere of unity and joy.


What began as a twice-yearly gathering has since blossomed into a year-round movement. LEAF’s mission, to connect cultures and foster global understanding through the arts, has touched countless lives and inspired a vibrant community of “LEAFers” who return year after year.


To carry that mission forward, LEAF opened LEAF Global Arts in downtown Asheville, a dynamic cultural hub where visitors can explore world music, participate in hands-on experiences, and engage with artists and traditions through community engagement events.

Today, LEAF remains deeply rooted in its mission to bring people together through music, art, and shared humanity. It continues to embody Pickering’s original vision: a living, breathing celebration of global connection, creativity, and community.