River Arts District - Asheville, North Carolina - Asheville's Answer To New York City's Soho

The River Arts District is the hip and upcoming warehouse-turned-art-district in Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville has been heralded as a prime arts location by many prestigious magazines like Travel & Leisure, Southern Living, and American Style and this district clearly reflects why. Filled with dozens of working art studios,the River Arts District is one of the Asheville area's unique arts neighborhoods.

Century old warehouses and manufacturing buildings mostly unheated and with primitive plumbing work, are cover for fine artists and craftsmen. On the flats of the right bank of the French Broad River, visitors will find a Cotton Mill, an 1896 building on Riverside Drive that now houses half a dozen working studios, and the Wedge - a 1916 building on Roberts Street with even more studios. All in all, there are more than seventy artistic people in about 10 or 12 buildings, doing their work with all the comfort of space heaters (in winter) and fans (in summer) while rejoicing at their low cost in rent.

Most of the studios are accessible to visitors and customers alike but only by prior arrangement. Some are open limited hours and a few studios have five-day sales only. On the edge of the River District at 240 Clingman Avenue is the Jonas Gerard Fine Art Gallery. The gallery replaced the Bella Vista Gallery, which moved to a new location in Biltmore Village at 14 Lodge St. The Jonas Gerard Gallery is found next to Clingman Avenue Coffee and Catering, a popular place to enjoy breakfast or lunch by the locals.

The second weekend in June and November from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the district holds a "Studio Stroll.'' During this time there are more arts per square block than anywhere else in western North Carolina. Artists partaking in the Studio Stroll, welcome visitors into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience the magic hidden inside the old factories and warehouses along the French Broad River. There are crafters, painters, dancers, writers, woodworkers, sculptors, glassblowers, musicians, potters, quilters, poets, fiber artists, print makers, musical instrument makers, and furniture makers. The Studio Stroll is free and open to the public. Most studios are within walking distance of each other, and there is plenty of free parking.

During the rest of the year, visitors can look for the bright yellow and black River Arts District sandwich boards for individual artist events and specials. Most artists are available by appointment, except during Studio Stroll. Past events have included the Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival, the ECO-Art Show where artists feature recycled, reclaimed, and reused materials, and the Montford Arts and Music Festival - a family-oriented festival featuring music by the Snake Oil Medicine Show.

The district is a great place to acquire new inspiration, gifts for friends, or even something special for you that will provide years of memories.