River Arts District Studio Stroll this Weekend in Asheville

November 9 - 10   River Arts District Studio Stroll   The first, largest, and most walkable tour of working artists' studios in the region, the River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad River. There will be artists' demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend.
 
An Information Booth will be located at the 5-points intersection of Depot St. across from the Clingman Café. Free trolleys run approximately every 15 min, bringing visitors to gallery shows, kid's activities, and art demonstrations, such as glass blowing, wheel throwing, wood turning, and more. 


The River Arts District is open year around - meet 160+ artists in their studios, visit craft galleries and shops and stop to re-energize at one of the cafes or restaurants. Daily schedules are available online. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for these two days of festivities known as the Studio Stroll. On SECOND SATURDAYS artists welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River.

Get links for more information about Ashevile and Asheville galleries on the Asheville NC Guide.

An Ode to the River Arts District

An ode to the district...  [The hands always moving.]

Stepping along from space to place, enchanted by the creations
of the hands always moving
the summer sun beats down,
blossoms creativity

submitted by the River Arts District Blog

with the heat
the artists stop to smile
to explain their secrets
their inspirations
their elavations
and then they go on about their day
dip in paint
dip in clay
threading needles
threading lines
shaping glass
shaping movement of this place
where the river moves and flows
where the people step and go
where eyes and doors open
time without time again...

Get down to the River Arts District  to see hands moving, creativity blossoming and experience time without time again...

Read more on the River Arts District Blog or Check out the River Arts District calendar to see upcoming events.

Asheville's River arts District 2nd Saturday Studio Stroll this weekend

May 12   2nd Saturday Studio Stroll in the River Arts District A day of artist demonstrations, classes, open studios and fun. Spend the day hopping from studio to studio, stop for refreshment at one of the many dining experiences including the District's brewery. 80 or more artists will be open - just look for the open studio signs.

River Arts District - Feed the Spirit and the Body

The River Arts District is a haven of creation, a destination for the eye, a district for the dreamers, AND a hub for the hungry ...and thirsty!   While you're visiting studios take some time to  hop from restaurant to restaurant to bar to brewery giving our taste buds and tummies  as well as your other senses a treat. Get photos and a list of food and beverage stops on the River Arts District Blog.

Word of the Month in the River Arts District

"green"photo by Laurie McCarriar

The good folks down in the River Arts District  are continuously inspired by their surroundings. So inspired, that they have decided to dedicate a week each month to an adjective. This month GREEN seemed the obvious choice.  The trees are budding, the grass is vibrant and this weekend,  there just mights be a green beer or two in hand. 

Check out the River Arts Blog to find what photographer and green gal, Laurie McCarriar found on her get green photo hunt...you should try one too...

Featured Artist: Akira Satake

Artist: Akira Satake
Media: Clay

Location: Curve Studios, 12 Riverside Drive, River Arts District in Asheville NC

About: Satake was a music producer in New York City, overworked and stressed-out. In search of a little relaxation, he took a pottery class and as the expression goes, the rest is history. Thanks to an invitation from a cousin for a visit Asheville Satake and his family discovered the "community" they were seeking. Two years ago he moved his studio to Curves at the River Arts Districe.

His work shows the power of nature's forceswith a style representing the collaboration between himself, clay and fire. He thinks of landslides, the wind dusting through the desert, volcanoes and other natural occurrences nature continually surprises the human eye with. He is influenced by and respects traditional pottery, but strives to create his very own style, with depth over his creations. Read more about Akira Satake HERE.

River Arts District Second Saturday

March 10 - Second Saturday in the River Arts District: artists open their doors and host openings, events classes and workshops on the second weekend of each month.

Highlights this month include:

- Get lucky at the Odyssey (an ode to the Irish, we believe.) There will be live artists demonstrations from 11-1ish around the pottery wheel. Also, surprise musicians to serenade guests, and a chance to win a piece from one of the Odyssey artists.

- A very RAD opening, Nature: Three Perspectives on Depot at Desert Moon Designs from 5-7PM featuring three of Depot Street photographers; Cleaster Cotton, Laurie McCarriar and David Simchock.

- Visit Planet Art in Studio 375 for a chair caning class open house from 12-2 and a framing sale from 2-5. You can bring a chair to have inspected and learn some cool information along the way!

River Arts District mural nears completion

This time last year, two River Arts District artists started a collaboration: a ceramic mural which is currently being pieced together by artists Alex Irvine and Kathy Triplett. The mural was commissioned by Brian and Gail McCarthy, [owners of the Odyssey Center and Highwater Clays] and the initial blueprint was centered around water, something that effects us all in multiple ways.

In the center of the mural stands a five feet long ceramic man, unofficially nicknamed Clingman,  wading through the water and gripping tightly to a coffee mug. According to the artists, the man represents the district in general, artists, visitors and locals blending together to create a community and explore art. The coffee mug is a wink to what keeps many in the community going: a fresh cup of coffee from the Odyssey's neighbor Clingman Cafe.

Irvine and Triplett spent the last year doing prep work for the 10 x 20 mural. Forty-five plaster molds were used to create the water portion of the mural, with the pieces repeating themselves about five times. Irvine spent a month testing the glaze and color for the water portion and, 250 test-tiles later, he found the perfect periwinkle blue/sea-glass green color that will withstand acid rain and other heavy weather conditions.

The next week and a half  the remaining tiles will be pieced together, filling in the golden sky and grouting the wall behind the “joints”. The artists are looking for extra hands for the remaining weeks, so if your in the area, grab some coffee and lend a hand to the inspiring Odyssey mural.

The official unveiling date for the Odyssey mural happens on Thursday, November 10.  Clingman Avenue Extension will be shut down for a street party celebration two days before the River Arts District Studio Stroll.

Visit Irvine's website at www.alexirvineceramics.com  to see the mural's step-by-step process with pictures and explanations.

Open Studios this weekend in Asheville's River Arts District

October 8, River Arts District in Asheville NC - Second Saturday Studio Stroll. Artists open their doors and host openings, events classes and workshops on the second weekend of each month:
Friday, October 7
10AM-4PM :: Hofman Studios @ The Wedge
10AM-4PM :: Potter's Mark @ Cotton Mill Studios
10AM-5PM :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
10AM-6PM :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
11AM-4PM :: Barbara Fisher @ Warehouse Studios
11AM-4PM :: Brad Stroman @ Pink Dog Studios
11AM-4PM :: CURVE studios and garden
11AM-4PM :: Denise Legendre Wolcott @ Northlight Studios
11AM-4PM :: Dyed in the Wool Designs @ The Wedge
11AM-4PM :: Laurie McCarriar @ Northlight Studios
11AM-4PM :: Margaret Couch Cogswell @ Northlight Studios
11AM-4PM :: Riverside Studios
11AM-4PM :: Wendy Whitson @ Northlight Studios
11AM-5PM :: Barbara Perez Fine Art @ The Wedge
11AM-6PM :: David Simchock Photography @ Studio 375 Depot
11AM-6PM :: Vagabond Vistas Photography Instruction @ Studio 375 Depot
12PM-4PM :: 310 ART Gallery @ Riverview Station

Saturday, October 8
10AM-4PM :: Hofman Studios @ The Wedge
10AM-4PM :: Potter's Mark @ Cotton Mill Studios
10AM-6PM :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
10AM-6PM :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
11AM-3PM :: Barbara Perez Fine Art
11AM-4PM :: Brad Stroman @ Pink Dog Studios
11AM-4PM :: CURVE studios and garden
11AM-4PM :: Dyed in the Wool Designs @ The Wedge
11AM-4PM :: Riverside Studios
11AM-6PM :: David Simchock Photography @ Studio 375 Depot
11AM-6PM :: Vagabond Vistas Photography Instruction @ Studio 375 Depot
12PM-4PM :: 310 ART Gallery @ Riverview Station
9:00am - John Mac Kah - Painting in Oils -Studio Classes
10:00am - Nia Class at Nourish & Flourish at 10:15 am
1:00pm - John Mac Kah- Open Air Painting - Landscape Classes

Sunday, October 9
10AM-6PM :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
11AM-4PM :: CURVE studios and garden
12PM-6PM :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
1PM-4PM :: Riverside Studios