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River Arts District Artists
What you need to know
River Arts District Artists, or RADA, is the nonprofit artists' association for Asheville's River Arts District, the old industrial buildings along the French Broad River just west of downtown. Founded in 2013, it speaks up for the working artists in the district and puts out the studio guide and map. More than 500 artists are back in studios and galleries since Helene, making paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, prints, sculpture and photography, and a lot of them teach classes in pottery, glass and printmaking. The main stretches are Roberts Street, Depot Street, Lyman Street, Artful Way, River Arts Place and Clingman Avenue Extension. In 2026, USA Today 10Best readers voted it the best arts district in the country, and RADfest brings two days of art and music to the whole district every November.
Local's Tip
Go on the second Saturday of the month for the most open studios, and ask before taking photos of anyone's work. Park once and walk, since the studios are close together.
What the locals say
Locals will tell you Second Saturday is the day to go, when the most artists are in and demos are happening all over the district. It's easy to stretch a studio crawl into a whole afternoon, too, with Wedge Brewing, PennyCup Coffee and The Grey Eagle all right there.
What you need to know
River Arts District Artists, or RADA, is the nonprofit artists' association for Asheville's River Arts District, the old industrial buildings along the French Broad River just west of downtown. Founded in 2013, it speaks up for the working artists in the district and puts out the studio guide and map. More than 500 artists are back in studios and galleries since Helene, making paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, prints, sculpture and photography, and a lot of them teach classes in pottery, glass and printmaking. The main stretches are Roberts Street, Depot Street, Lyman Street, Artful Way, River Arts Place and Clingman Avenue Extension. In 2026, USA Today 10Best readers voted it the best arts district in the country, and RADfest brings two days of art and music to the whole district every November.
What the locals say
Locals will tell you Second Saturday is the day to go, when the most artists are in and demos are happening all over the district. It's easy to stretch a studio crawl into a whole afternoon, too, with Wedge Brewing, PennyCup Coffee and The Grey Eagle all right there.
Scoops for River Arts District Artists