While galavanting around Asheville recently, we ended up in the River Arts District, and in search of Sake. We stopped by Blue Kudzu and to our surprise, we had the opportunity to taste the first batch of Sake ever brewed! We added an array of delicious appetizers to the mix, and wow, what a drinking and dining experience. Michael, who is on staff, hosted us and helped make it a night to remember. This spot is a little off the beaten path, but well worth the 5-minute trip from downtown Asheville.
Morehouse Interiors, Bringing Creative Collaboration to your Home
(Foreword by Adrian Etheridge, of ASE Photography)
It was the week before finals and amidst my frenzy to find a job for the summer, I happened across a flyer advertising a communications intern position with a “local interior design firm specializing in collaboration with local artists.” In a fit of excitement, I emailed the contact immediately, crossing my fingers for a job that would combine my skills in photography and social media with my love for interior design – not to mention the added of intensive of working closely with local artists (as art is my passion.)
Happily, I landed this dreamy internship, and have more than enjoyed working there the past few weeks. Caitlin Morehouse – who indeed specializes in collaboration with local artists, as the decorated walls of our studio show – is an artist herself who “believes that the less we look for boundaries between the two, the more beautiful spaces we can create.” She loves finding the art that speaks to clients and collaborating to turn their interiors into livable, personal works of art. With her quirky taste in vibrant and bold pieces (be them vibrant upholstery fabrics, ceramic backsplash tiles detailing a landscape, or handmade sardine-plastered bowls) getting a behind-the-scenes look into designing a home has been quite exhilarating.
Our fabric library is ever-growing. If you’re looking for beautiful, quality fabrics then come to our studio, pull up a chair, and enjoy flipping through our many sample books.
And now, we of Morehouse Interiors are happy to announce that this year we set up shop in the quirky River Arts District of Asheville, NC. In looking for a studio space, Caitlin’s vision was for it to “be a creative space in the truest sense. A place for people to get inspired and turn inspiration into various artistic collaborations; from hanging paintings to reuphostering a sofa.” Studio 254 in Riverview Station allows us to do just that, with a place to showcase some of the work of local artists with whom we collaborate for interior design projects, as well as sell interesting pieces and products we find at the High Point Market and other local venues. Soon, we will also begin using the front room (a wall splits our spacious studio into two parts – the back office and the front meeting room and gallery) to create vignettes of possible design combinations, again using the work of local artists and craftsmen with whom we collaborate. We will exhibit this last exciting feature on our blog once it is up and running, so keep your eyes peeled.
“Gallery Icon,” aka our front meeting room, gallery, and vignette area.
However, the best part of residing in the River Arts District is the connection with the community that we get to enjoy. This weekend, June 14th and 15th, the RAD will host its biannual Studio Stroll, and we are excited for our first year of participation. Our studio – Studio 254 in Riverview Station on 191 Lyman St. – will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, and we invite everyone to stop by to check out our eclectic space filled with our one-of-a-kind pillows, Cardboard Safari Animals (think deer head mount made of cardboard), Valerie Schnaufer ceramics, Caitlin’s own artwork, and much more. We will even have refreshments. (No, we are not trying to bribe you, unless it’s working.) Asheville, we hope to see you this weekend.
One of the artists represented in our studio: Valerie Schnaufer.
Yes, there really is a handmade African sardine bowl plastered with sardines.
Caitlin’s personal work is among the ranks of the art hanging in the studio. Surreal, pastel, bold.
Even if you cannot attend the Stroll, there are many different ways to follow our work from our Pinterest storyboard documenting Studio 254’s design transformation (along with many other product and design boards) to our on-location Insta-pics.
Caitlin Morehouse
– Caitlin Morehouse & The Morehouse Interiors Team
Fine Artists Walton, Monaghan Celebrate the Season with River Arts Open Studio Specials
The “Second Saturday” festivities on Dec. 14 in Asheville’s historic River Arts District promise seasonal treats for gift-givers and art lovers alike as they meet and greet artists-in-residence
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Discriminating art lovers will want to take this chance to meet and greet artists Cindy Walton and Fleta Monaghan if they’re considering investing in the finer things of life as a seasonal treat on Saturday, Dec. 14, as part of the “Second Saturday” festivities in Asheville’s River Arts District.
Cindy Walton
Walton’s “Sky Danse,” 2013
Artist Cindy Walton of Cindy Walton Fine Art, co-hosts a holiday open studio during “Second Saturday” at The Wedge Building. There, she will co-host a holiday open studio during “Second Saturday” at The Wedge Building from her second floor studio from 5-8 p.m. She, together with the other top-tier artists in residence, will be present for the festivities – and the shopping. A little elf told us that Cindy will have special pricing on selected cold wax paintings during the open studio. With her rising star reputation, her paintings are rarely offered at these advantageous prices.
Cindy Walton Fine Arts is on the second floor of The Wedge Building, Roberts Street, and at www.cindywalton.com.
Monaghan’s “Fairfield Falls,” 2013
Fleta Monaghan
Fleta Monaghan is known both for her own prowess as a fine artist and for her leadership in the profession as the founder of this hot gallery spot. Under her direction, 310 ART Gallery also celebrates the holiday season this “Second Saturday” from noon -5 p.m.
“We feature 21 local fine artists and artisans showing original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glass art and more,” she says.
While enjoying refreshments, ask for the winter workshop schedule for adult art classes. We also expect reindeer will pause here for the hand-bound books and jewelry specials bound to make it to the tip toe of that special someone’s stocking – plus, a delightful 10 percent discount off original works by Monaghan.
The 310 Art Gallery is at 191 Lyman Street, Studio 310, and at www.310art.com.
Sherri McLendon is a freelance writer with McLendon Bylines, www.sherrimclendon.com, near Asheville, N.C.
Best Places in Asheville for Late Autumn Portraits
Fallen leaves, colorful streets, and beautiful views: Asheville in the late fall is a beautiful city for portraiture. From brilliantly-colored leafy woodlands to creatively-painted graffiti backgrounds, a photographer only has to step out her front door to find a good backdrop for a photo shoot. This year, as you dust off your camera for for solo photos, family portraits, Christmas cards, or just a fun afternoon with a camera, keep a few of the best locations around Asheville in mind.
UNC Asheville Botanical Gardens
If you’re looking for a nature setting, look no further than UNCA’s campus in North Asheville. The university’s botanical gardens offer a beautiful natural backdrop complete with fall colors and soft lighting filtering through the tree branches. On a warm day (because weather in Asheville can fluctuate from 20 to 60 degree days in the same week) the creek is a wonderful place for reflections.
The saturated fall colors of the leaves and dying foliage make for a very colorful background. With a wide open space to run around, you can create lively portraits playing in the leaves or skipping through the field.
The garden’s gazebo is one of my personal favorite places for portraits. Hidden in the corner entrance, the gazebo only gets the last soft rays of sunshine, so it is a perfect location for softly-lit close-ups.
Wall Street, Downtown
After a day of window shopping and gorging in any one (or more!) of Asheville’s famously fantastic restaurants, Downtown is a great location for artsy portraits. Architectural ranging from the 1800s to now, statues both fun and iconic, streets lined with lights and leaves, and art at every turn create a perfect atmosphere for city portraiture. Wall Street’s green light poles, yellow leaves, and colorful building fronts pair well with a great leather jacket and a pretty smile.
Chicken Alley, Downtown
Chicken Alley is famous for the enormous painted chicken, and this unconventionally decorated backstreet provides a beautiful brick backdrop for photos. Commandeer a nice renter’s back porch and you can make portraits fit for any coffee-drinking city-goer.
Graffiti by the Hatchery Studios, River Arts District
The River Arts District is a great place for more than just buying artists’ work. The giant graffiti-ed wall and silo create an edgier setting. Looking for a place for band photos or artist portraits? Posing in front of Asheville’s underground muralists’ work is the perfect location.
Looking for a professional photographer to take your portraits? Check out ASE Photography by Adrian Etheridge: ASEphotography.pixpasites.com OR ASEartistry10@gmail.com
Looking for a model to try out these locations? Contact Erin Dalton: inspiringdalton@gmail.com
The Village Potters – Coming to the River Arts District this May!
The Village Potters is a fully equipped Pottery housing the Personal Studios of 7 Professional Resident Potters. The Village Potters is the home of an exquisite Gallery exhibiting and selling the exceptional work of the Resident Village Potters as well as other regional artists. The Village also includes an Education Center committed to the advancement and development of Professional Ceramic Artists as well as interdisciplinary classes in the Arts for children. The Founding Potters are Cat Jarosz, Judi Harwood, Melanie Robertson, and Sarah Wells Rolland. They are all active members of The Southern Highland Craft Guild. Our grand opening is the 2nd Saturday, May 14th 10- 7pm. Come visit us at The Village Gallery, with pottery demonstrations, and tours of the studios and teaching facility. Celebrate with us this dream made real! Location: In Riverview Station in The River Arts District Asheville NCThe Village Potters
191 Lyman Street #180
Asheville, NC 28801
(Just 2 miles from Biltmore Village on the River)