
The Harlequin Ring Series. Melanie Merenda, artist
By Julie Ann Bell
JonQPublik, an alcohol ink artist whose work at Foundation Studios was lost in the flood, says, “2025; if anything I hope it’s a bit less chaotic, and a lot more creative. Colorful.”
At Trackside Studios, we share this sentiment. After rebuilding post-flood, our collective of 60 artists reopened in December. Several new artists, who lost their creative spaces elsewhere in the River Arts District (RAD), found a new home with us. We invited them to share their hopes for the new year.

The More You Know. JonQPublik, artist
“Helene took so much that day, including the work I had at Marquee,” recalls Cristina Garcia. “With so much loss, I thought I would never find another space for my art in Asheville.” She says she is “thrilled” to have found shelter, welcoming smiles, gallery space for her oil and mixed media wildlife paintings and a “tight-knit community of kind and talented artists.”
Linda Girardi lost nearly everything at Foundation Studios except a few pendants and a mosaic of a bear found in the mud. “Even worse,” she says, “I lost the studio I called home. It is the community of fellow artists, students and gallery visitors that I am missing the most.” She looks forward to 2025 bringing a renewal of both art and community.
As a jewelry maker at The Curve, Melanie Merenda was unsure if her future would include the RAD, but she knew she wanted to stay in Asheville to rebuild. “While I’m still overwhelmed by the long road ahead, I’m excited to focus on growing my business in this beautiful space, surrounded by a community of artists doing the same.”
Raphaella Vaisseau grieves the loss of her Heartful Art Gallery at Riverview Station. “I expect healing will continue throughout 2025 for me, and for all of us. Having space for my art at Trackside Studios amidst over 50 other artists is soothing, safe and comfortable for me. Belonging there helps soothe the feeling of being ripped away from my destiny. Having display space gives me a purpose to paint, and gives me a place to be with the people again through my art.”
From loss, Patricia Sweet, a landscape artist who displayed at Marquee, is finding new motivation. “Hurricane Helene showed our area that landscapes themselves are becoming increasingly volatile due to the impact of climate change,” she says. “I feel compelled to depict as much of the world as possible, preserving it on canvas before it changes or disappears completely.” She hopes to create work in 2025 that invokes “appreciation of the world that surrounds us.”
We share our artists’ resolutions for 2025—for community, healing, growth and creativity.
Trackside Studios is located in the Aura Arts Building, 375 Depot Street, in Asheville’s River Arts District. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.