I appreciated the authentic arts community here in Asheville. I have been to many towns and cities and seen many art shows and places called "artistic," but I felt it was genuine in Asheville, which is not always the case. There were surprising and unusual pieces and styles everywhere.
There are different kinds of interesting murals.
Some are done in relief.
And there are sculptures, some of which are historical. Keep your eye out for the placards.
The overpass where Broadway turns to Lexington is fantastic, in my opinion. I love the figures painted there and the flying squirrel series is great. Street art is always interesting to me, so I appreciated these scenes.
And then there's a smattering of unusual artistic bits here and there.
When it came to organized exhibits, I went to a few:
Woolworth Walk: My favorite. I loved all of the unusual local artworks that are on display there. Many have affordable options and smaller items (if you are flying or not an investor). Also, it smells like bacon on the main floor because of the working old-fashioned soda fountain on site. So that may sway you one way or the other.
Kress Emporium: It's ok, it's just not my favorite. There are many artists displayed and lots of cool items. Personally, I didn't feel the same vibe there. There's an intriguing high end furniture store in the basement level. I wanted to hang out on their couches and buy their artifacts.
River Walk Arts District: In general, this is a wonderful place to walk. The river is coursing along to one side and there are galleries and breweries in a hip industrial atmosphere.
If you can get into the right mood, there are some cool studios to explore. I was lucky enough to be able to talk with one of the artists about her real interests before she was interviewed by the university. She also designs log cabinets and we had a fun chat about art in renovation.
A note for the wallet - overall, the prices on much of the art are high. Some of that is paying for originality and I wouldn't debate it. But some of it is tourist-gouging. It is obvious that the cost of living and working in Asheville is so prohibitive that artists must sell high, and shops charging commission to cover rent etc. have high prices. If you can get around some of that and absorb the art, then maybe follow up directly with an artist, I believe it would be better. I personally will be holding onto the names of several local artists and I am thrilled to have the small works that I could afford to bring home.
There were many true forms of expression in Asheville, which was enlightening and refreshing. There are actual artists, freely designing and taking chances. That was the impression that I got from my short immersion. There's a magic to the place.
I felt creative in Asheville. I felt like I could be more myself. There is an air of open expression that I truly appreciated and enjoyed. I basked in it. I didn't feel instantly welcome. Instead, I felt like I might have to prove myself a little as not a tourist, but a traveler, a kindred spirit. I felt that I would be accepted. I like the fact that they don't drool over you like lap dogs, but have a sense of discernment and values or principles. They are slightly guarded (incidentally, many mountain communities have this feeling) and I think that's completely reasonable. I would love to earn my way in.
Asheville, I will be back.
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