Things to Do
The River Arts District is home to numerous art galleries, restaurants, and spectactular views of street art, backlit by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
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River Arts District
Welcome to the "RAD" - Asheville's creative center known as the River Arts District. This colorful neighborhood, which was once full of bustling mills, is now home to 270+ working artists and offers an eclectic mix of dining, vibrant murals, as well as easy access to the French Broad River. Located just minutes from downtown Asheville, the River Arts District provides endless opportunities for visitors to personally connect with some of Asheville's top creatives, engage in hands-on workshops and purchase local artwork.
Explore the RAD! Discover the top things to do, see and eat in the River Arts District.
Things To Do
Shopping
Shopping
With a wide variety of shops and galleries featuring custom one-of-a-kind pieces, purchase locally made artwork from over 270 artists and makers.
Dining
Dining
From wood fired pizza to fresh ground coffee or fine dining, the restaurants of the River Arts District offers delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
How to Spend a Day in Asheville's River Arts District
Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) is a destination that grew out of necessity and became an exciting hub for Asheville's artists and creators.
What's on Tap in the RAD
Discover some of the top food, drinks, art and things to do in the RAD.
Meet The Artists
Andrea
Andrea is the owner of Studio A, a pysanky, mixed-media and graphic design studio and gallery located within Pink Dog Creative in Asheville’s River Arts District. Honoring her Ukrainian roots, Andrea creates unique pysanky eggs using traditional Ukrainian patterns, as well as her own modern designs. In addition to her pysanky eggs, Andrea sells mixed-media notecards and gifts, specialty River Arts District t-shirts and totes, stickers, pysanky supplies and pysanky-inspired home goods. She works to inspire people to learn about the craft of pysanky by teaching live demonstrations and workshops at her studio. Before moving to Asheville in 2013, she was a graphic designer at VistaPrint and Arnold Worldwide. Andrea has been integral in fundraising efforts for victims of the Ukrainian war, serving as a volunteer for the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America’s humanitarian aid fund. She has exhibited in both Boston and Asheville. Her work can also be found at the Pysanka Museum in Koloymia, Ukraine and in private collections worldwide.
Visit: Studio A, Pink Dog Creative, 344 Depot Street, Asheville
Nadine Charlsen
Nadine Charlsen is a watercolor artist based out of Asheville’s River Arts District. Her work is inspired by architecture, cityscapes and serene countryside settings captured through the lens of her camera. Born in Bird City, Kansas, Charlsen’s passion for design was influenced by her parents: Her father was an industrial arts teacher and furniture builder, and her mother was an oil painter and teacher. She grew up with “a hammer in one hand, a paintbrush in the other and a tough kid attitude.” In 1983, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, and received an MFA in theatre design from Brooklyn College. She then continued to work in NYC and surrounding area for 31 years before relocating to the Asheville area in 2015. Charlsen is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, a member of the Salmagundi Club-NYC and the National Association of Women Artists, as well as a life member of the Art Students League in New York City. Charlsen woks out of Northlight Studios in the River Arts District and also teaches classes at 310 Art in Riverview Station.
Visit: Northlight Studios, 357 Depot Street, Asheville (Open Thursday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.).
Silver River Center for Chair Caning
Brandy Clements and David Klingler are the co-owners of Silver River Center for Chair Caning, the nation’s only chair caning school and museum located in Asheville’s River Arts District. These two self-proclaimed “chair nerds” are on an ongoing mission to uphold the tradition of chair caning through lectures, classes, published work, restorations and community outreach. Currently, they are in the process of writing their first book, “The Woven Chair,” which is slated to be released in 2023. They have taught online and in-person caning classes across the United States, including a tour in New England and multiple demonstrations at the John C. Campbell Folk School and Folk Art Center in Western North Carolina, and have conducted research trips to England and Scotland. Clements, a 4th generation chair caner, and Klingler are members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, American Craft Council, The Furniture Society and The Seatweavers’ Guild, Inc.
Visit: Silver River Chairs, Curve Studios, 5 Arts Place, Asheville (by appointment only).
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