october-2010

MAP: JAMES GULLIVER HANCOCK
Canvassing
the Neighborhood
BY BROOKE PORTER
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-redglazed
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.
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.
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 surprising
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.
TRAVEL REPORT: NORTH CAROLINA
Jonas Gerard at 240 Clingman
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.
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.
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.
OCTOBER 2010 GO MAGAZINE
067