Photo courtesy of Red Metal

A New Chapter for the Asheville Urban Trail

After more than two decades, a new public sculpture, Fluvial by Waynesville artist Rachel David, joins Asheville’s iconic art walk.

This month, The City of Asheville, Public Art and Culture Commission, and Urban Trail Committee, will welcome a new public sculpture designed by Waynesville’s Rachel David of RED Metal. Installation of “Fluvial” marks the first time new art has joined the Asheville Urban Trail since May 2002. The public is invited to attend the dedication November 13, and all can look forward to enjoying this piece for years to come.

The Urban Trail & Original Art Deco Masterpiece

In 1992, volunteer residents, artists and designers formed The Urban Trail Committee with the goal to commemorate the moments and individuals that shaped Asheville. The group worked with City staff for the next 10 years to install the 30 artworks along the 1.7 mile trail, activating fresh spaces and encouraging visitors to come downtown. Today, visitors can follow the Trail with an interactive website and map hosted by Explore Asheville as part of a partnership with the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation.

Station 7 of the Urban Trail was the original Art Deco Masterpiece, designed by artists Carleton Collins and James Barnhill. The large 4 ft x 7 ft mosaic marker constructed in Venice, Italy, was originally embedded into the sidewalk. However, the piece faced challenges: damage from water and foot traffic, a move to an exterior facade at 1 Haywood Street, removal of the piece due to new building tenants, and a stalemate over finding a new location. While it will someday find a permanent home, in 2023, City staff and the Public Art and Culture Commission began the hunt for a new artwork better suited to the Station 7 stop in front of the S&W Building.

Selecting a New Piece for the Trail

A call for artists went out in April 2024, followed by a competitive selection process. Rachel David, metal worker, blacksmith, sculptor, and designer, answered the brief. David, born in New Jersey and raised in Maryland, grew up with a potter mother and an engineer father—an early blend of artistry and precision that shaped her creative path.

After falling in love with blacksmithing, she moved to Western North Carolina to spend her last quarter of college at Penland School of Craft. David said. “As soon as I was hammering, I knew I loved it. The technique is so inspiring, so ancient. We live in times with new materials and techniques.”

Though she left the region to hone her craft in New Orleans—and lived through Hurricane Katrina during her time there—David moved back to Western North Carolina in 2020. Today, she remains inspired by the region’s deep craft traditions and collaborative maker community, while exploring themes of environmental and social justice in her own work with RED Metal.

David proposed an ambitious piece that connects to environmental impact, though she didn’t know just how poignant it would be at the time. “Fluvial has to do with the actions and effects of a river or stream,” she told the Biltmore Beacon. “While the design was done before Hurricane Helene, the effects of water movement from the storm impacted me immensely.”

“Fluvial” is both artwork and functional seating, with one side serving outdoor diners at the S&W Building and the other available for public passersby to rest and reflect. The sculpture on top of the 7 feet tall by 6 feet wide structure is uniquely David’s, inspired by the iconography on the S&W Building and the movement of water. The piece is made of stainless steel, with certain parts of the metal polished to reflect the colors and symbols of the S&W Building. In July 2024, the Public Art and Culture Commission recommended the city move forward with the concept.

“Rachel’s proposal was a unique interpretation of the forms and symbols from the S&W Building,” said Karli Stephenson, Urban Designer City of Asheville. “There’s a lot to celebrate with this piece—new artwork downtown and filling a gap that’s existed on the Trail for quite some time.”

An Invitation to the Installation

Now, after more than a year of careful production, the piece is ready for installation. The public is invited to the dedication ceremony November 13 at 1 p.m. at the S&W Building in front of The Times bar. In addition, downtown businesses and galleries are hosting additional events and openings to celebrate the new piece and David’s work.

Full schedule:

Ribbon Cutting & Dedication of “Fluvial” Public Artwork
S&W Building, 56 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Paintings and Steel Exhibition Opening
Featuring work by Rachel David and Raymond Bonilla
Momentum Gallery, 52 Broadway St., Asheville, NC
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Celebratory Gathering
After the Opening at Momentum Gallery, meet at The Times Bar for an informal gathering to celebrate with a special drink menu to honor the new addition to Asheville’s Urban Trail.
The Times Bar & Coffee, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 8:00- 9:30 PM

“It’s been such a pleasure to work with Rachel and her team at Red Metal. I love that this piece stays true to David’s unique style and interpretation of the historic S&W Building,” said Karli Stephenson, Urban Designer and Public Art Program Manager of the City of Asheville. “The artwork was sited and created through a thoughtful and robust public process and I can’t wait to see it in place and enjoyed for years to come.”

For more regional art events, visit artsavl.org/events.