Canvassing the Neighborhood
In the mid-1990s, a cadre of forward-thinking artists bought up abandoned warehouses and transformed them into studios in which to paint, sculpt and otherwise create art. The area, called the River Arts District, now encompasses about 350,000 square feet of artistic space. Some buildings house many individual studios where artists work privately, while others have large shared spaces. But regardless of the set-ups, all are open to the public (call ahead for hours) and within walking distance—perfect for a self-guided tour.
COTTON MILL STUDIOS
122 Riverside Dr
Owned by potters Eileen and Marty Black, this remnant of an old cotton mill is home to seven working studios. In addition to the copper-red- glazed wares at the Blacks’ studio, visitors can browse paintings and sketches by Skip Rohde; abstract oil paintings by Genie Maples; and handmade flutes from Leonard Lopatin.
PHIL MECHANIC STUDIOS
109 Roberts St
Edgy, young artists work with everything from glass and recycled textiles to buttons in this hip studio space. Potter Joey Sheehan can sometimes be seen throwing clay in the window, and if you’re in need of a haircut, stop by the hip Dang Salon.
CURVE STUDIOS & GARDEN
6-12 Riverside Dr
One of the only buildings that’s open to the public seven days a week, CURVE was among the first live/ work spaces in the area. Today, it’s home to potters, weavers and sculptors, as well as encaustic painter and sculptor Constance Williams, president of the River Arts District Artists.
THE WEDGE
111-129 Roberts St
This spot is home to 18 individual studios. If you want a break after browsing oil and pastel paintings, hand-dyed silk, mixed-metal jewelry and handbuilt, lace-impressed porcelain pieces, grab a cold one at the on-site Wedge Brewing Company.
WAREHOUSE STUDIOS
170 Lyman St
According to painter Wendy Whitson, the artists in the creative haven of the River Arts District are like family—which isn’t surpris- ing since she shares the common area of her studio’s building with six other painters, a portrait artist, a photographic/digital artist and a jeweler.
240 CLINGMAN
240 Clingman Ave
An energetic 69-year old with a Santa Claus-like beard, Jonas Gerard presides over this 5,000-square-foot gallery that’s open seven days a week (through December). Visitors will light up looking at his bright works, which span abstract paintings, sculpture and ceramic tiles.
Reader Comments
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