Our Back Story
Stories and art are as old as the hills & caves and as new as the last movie you saw or the book you read. Whether you are a student of Joseph Campbell or a fan of a TV sitcom or a radio podcast, stories connect us in powerful ways. Stories are memorable, tranferable, and tranformative.
The idea for the Do Tell Storyfest proceeded STEAP. Do Tell was conceived in a Hendersonville, NC coffee shop when six friends in 2008 agreed to find a way to share important stories. We organized the 1st DO TELL Storyfest and kept it going for years. That first Do Tell Storyfest brought out 500+ people to hear author Louise Bailey and other storytellers perform in the Old CourtHouse. There was great enthusiam to hear stories shared aloud and in person.
Later on, when the first school child said, " Your story helped me find my voice" the idea of STEAP was born to promote storytelling. Many adults and children were affected by the stories that were TOLD- whether myths, legends, personal, or imagined.
We had the idea to create a way to share storytelling through educaion and art programs in anyway possible. And we will keep doing it as long as possible for as many people as possible.
Our Mission
Our Mission at STEAP is excellence in storytelling and art. We are dedicated to identifying and encouraging diverse, overlooked artists for performance, mentoring, and artistic opportunities.
We create programs that
widen social awareness and
cultural appreciation among diverse communities.
Our Vision
To Connect Communities
With Stories
Storytelling is at the heart of human existence.
For millennia, stories have served as the bedrock of communities, passing down knowledge, values, and experiences through the generations.
Storytelling is also at the heart of great art.
Stories are told in painting, sculpture, and murals.
They are told in the melodic phrases of music and the rhythmic stanzas of poetry.
STEAP searches for the most compelling narratives in all art forms to
strengthen the bonds of our communities.
Our Goal
To Make Meaningful Art Happen
Making meaningful art happen means going beyond decoration or entertainment. It means bringing forward the voices, histories, and visions that too often go unheard. At the heart of our mission is a simple belief: art matters most when it speaks to people’s lives in real and meaningful ways. Our goal is to connect artists with audiences, neighbors with stories, and communities with the chance to see themselves reflected in bold, thought-provoking, and inspiring works of art. When art comes alive in this way, it doesn’t just enrich individuals—it strengthens the fabric of the entire community.