Linville’s Autumn Grace. Cynthia Llanes, artist
Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD), with its two-mile stretch of studios, galleries and businesses, lends itself to a fun, memorable and gratifying holiday shopping experience. Artists are available at varying times throughout the month, with December 9 set for Second Saturday.
Cynthia Llanes FineArt Gallery and Studio, at Art Garden AVL in Riverview Station, is among those businesses with special offers for RAD visitors looking for unique and affordable holiday gifts. “My Petite Collection will include original paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolor,” says Llanes. “Also available are giclée prints for travelers who prefer easy-to-carry items. It is important—and such a delight—to hold joyous events like Second Saturday, knowing visitors from across the country and all over the world will enjoy Asheville’s creative energy and its vibrant art community, especially during these times.”
Michelle Hamilton, artist
Art Garden AVL will hold live art parties from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Second Saturday, with resident artists and special guests working in mediums that include ceramic, fiber and paint. In addition, the gallery will feature a Plant Club Pop-up Market on Saturday, December 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Offerings include rare tropical and native medicinal plants, handmade pots and trellises, botanical watercolor paintings, cut flower bouquets, and herbal salves and teas. On Monday, December 18, a plant sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Modern Muse Gallery, at Riverview Station, celebrates its one-year anniversary on Second Saturday, with a reception and silent auction from 6–8 p.m. Fifty percent of proceeds from the auction benefit the nonprofit BeLoved Asheville. Food and drinks for the event are being supplied by White Labs. Gallery artists are founders Sandra Bottinelli and Pearl Renken, along with Michelle Hamilton, Hunter Jay, Robin McCoy and Ani Kinyon.
Additional Second Saturday events include a clay sculpture demo from 1–4 p.m. with Bruce Santorini at 362 Depot Street Studios; the Local Cloth Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 408 Depot Street; and special holiday sales from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Phil Mechanic Studios.
Throughout December, Andrea Kulish Wilhelm of Studio A will hold Ukrainian Pysanky Egg Ornament Workshops. Check AshevilleStudioA.com/workshops for dates and times.
Also in December, see Imagine Pyramid, a 5-foot tall pyramid created out of clay by Bruce and Dee Santorini. One side of the structure is a tribute to John Lennon and the ethics behind the song “Imagine,” and the other two sides represent the mysteries and wonders of life. Imagine Pyramid will be on display at Marquee, and a second four-sided sculpture by the artists, The Obelisque of Time, will be displayed at 362 Depot Street.
For a complete schedule of events and times, a map and a studio guide to the district’s artists, visit RiverArtsDistrict.com. Studios have varying hours. Information may also be found at websites for studios and individual artists.
