All Arts. All Ways. in West Asheville, RAD, Leicester, and Candler
Explore Hidden Gems Across Asheville’s Creative West Side
West Asheville, the River Arts District (RAD), Leicester, and Candler form a dynamic creative corridor where working artists, makers, and musicians shape the region’s character. Plan your journey through West Asheville’s Haywood Road arts scene, RAD’s industrial studios along the French Broad River, Leicester’s countryside makers, and the quietly confident creativity of Candler.
RAD: The Creative Core
The River Arts District is just minutes from downtown Asheville and offers a variety of convenient transportation options. Free street parking and designated lots are scattered throughout the area. Prefer not to drive? The Gray Line Trolley Tours’ “Hop On, Hop Off” route includes stops in the district. Once there, you’ll find the RAD to be highly walkable and bike-friendly, with most studios open from 11 AM to 5 PM. Use the ArtsAVL Arts Guide to help plan your visit, or check out River Arts District Artists (RADA) online for artist details and studio listings.
Collective Pursuits
One of the defining features of Asheville’s River Arts District is its wealth of studio collectives, where former industrial buildings now house groups of working artists. These creatively repurposed spaces allow visitors to explore a wide range of artistic styles and mediums all in one place. From painting and photography to ceramics, textiles, and jewelry, each collective offers a distinctive blend of creative energy and conversation. Notable stops include Odyssey Gallery of Ceramic Arts, Pink Dog Creative, NorthLight Studios, and Wedge Studios.
Additional collectives highlight the diversity of RAD’s artistic community. Aura Arts is a vibrant multi-gallery space that includes Trackside Studios and Jaime Byrd Contemporary Art Gallery, making it a key destination for fine art and ceramics. Phil Mechanic Studios is known for experimental and contemporary work. Warehouse Studios hosts nine artists working in painting, fiber arts, jewelry, and paper. Riverside Studios and 362 Depot Street Studios offer additional collective spaces where multiple artists work side by side. For those seeking fine art galleries, Gallery Joan Awake, Luna Gallery, and Mark Bettis Gallery showcase contemporary paintings and mixed media work. Clayspace Co-op is a member-run ceramics studio where you can watch potters at work. Just steps away, The Radical Hotel brings a modern edge to the district’s industrial roots, with rooftop views and Golden Hour, a wood-fired restaurant and cocktail bar, making it an ideal spot to unwind after a day of exploring. Just across the river, New Belgium Brewing offers riverside views and a relaxed atmosphere where you’ll find artists and locals gathering over craft beer. Whether you’re browsing or collecting, these working studios offer an authentic and inspiring way to connect with Asheville’s creative core.
Music & Community
The Grey Eagle is woven into the district’s creative fabric. This intimate music venue books emerging artists and established musicians in a room that holds about 400 people. It’s where you’ll find artists grabbing a beer after work and discovering the next big thing before everyone else does.
Just across the street, you’ll find River Arts District Brewing. They host a variety of events, from live music, to comedy and educational talks.
Wearable Art
Looking to take home something you can wear? These studios blend fine craftsmanship with fashion-forward design, making wearable art a standout category in RAD. ESB Jewelry features handcrafted, angular designs by Erica Stankwytch Bailey. Stephanie Ellis Jewelry blends antique and contemporary styles with recycled gold, while Laura Wood Studios delivers bold, colorful statement pieces. Next door, Jeffrey Burroughs’ glamour rounds out an excellent jewelry corridor.
If you’re in the market for sustainable fashion, stop by Sew Co., where their in-house clothing line Rite of Passage features timeless, thoughtfully made garments. At 408 Depot Street, Local Cloth –a volunteer-led nonprofit– supports the region’s fiber economy through community education, local products, and artisan goods. Their shop offers a curated selection of fiber art, apparel, and classes with a mission-driven impact. And see events below to tap into their upcoming Fiber Festival!
Create Your Own
After soaking in the inspiration of the River Arts District, why not dive into the creative process yourself? Many RAD studios offer hands-on classes in ceramics, painting, fiber arts, and more. Odyssey ClayWorks is a standout option for pottery lovers, offering everything from beginner wheel-throwing and figure sculpture classes to weekend intensives and summer clay camps for youth. They also offer 30-minute private lessons on the potter’s wheel, which is perfect for a fun, no-pressure introduction to clay. All classes include materials and access to open studio hours, so you can immerse yourself without added hassle.
If you’re looking for a faster project, the North Carolina Glass Center offers 30-minute “Make Your Own” sessions where you can craft your own ornament, cup, or paperweight with guidance from expert glassblowers. Whether you’re seeking a spontaneous creative moment or a more structured class, the RAD makes it easy to turn your visit into a hands-on artistic adventure and leave with a one-of-a-kind creation to remember it by.
After Hurricane Helene displaced many RAD artists, Village Potters Clay Center found a new home just up from the district at 44 Westgate Parkway in West Asheville. This community ceramics center offers classes, studio memberships, and a gallery showcasing local potters. Their grand reopening celebration is scheduled for April 11, 2026.
West Asheville
West Asheville is another creative hub that shouldn’t be missed. Lamplight AVL is an artist residency nonprofit that supports emerging artists through studio space, programming, and community engagement. Their exhibitions and events bring fresh perspectives to West Asheville’s arts scene. Likewise, Story Parlor is a narrative arts venue dedicated to storytelling in all its forms, letting words and voices take center stage.
Haywood Road is home to many more creative stops worth seeking out. Plays in Mud Pottery is the studio of potter Kelsey Schissel, a longtime local artist and member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Her studio and gallery are open to visitors who want to explore her collection and see the making process firsthand, and she offers classes for beginners and beyond.
Just down the road, Torched AVL is a metalsmithing school and studio offering jewelry classes, private lessons, and an inviting community space for established and budding metal and jewelry artists. The studio also features a retail gallery showcasing handmade fine art and jewelry.
Beyond the arts, Haywood Road and the rest of West Asheville contain an eclectic mix of independent restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and neighborhood spots that make this area one of the most vibrant and walkable corridors in the city.
Also in the Region
On the third weekend in August, the Come to Leicester Studio Tour (August 15–16, 2026) invites visitors to explore more than 20 working studios across Leicester’s countryside. This free, self-guided tour showcases painters, potters, jewelers, woodworkers, and more. It’s a perfect way to discover the creative talent tucked into the hills of this beautiful, rural community.
While you’re exploring the west, the neighboring community of Candler has a few creative stops worth adding to your route. Friends & Fiberworks is a yarn and learning center featuring classes, workshops, and special events. Mountain Song Guitars offers custom guitar construction, repair and restoration, and guitar-building instruction. Erin Keane Studio is home to an artist working with encaustic beeswax and offers small-group workshops in bookbinding or journaling for an intimate and inspiring creative experience.
Special Events
To make the most of your visit, plan around one of the region’s signature events. And check out ArtsAVL’s Events Calendar for the latest!
FiberFestival 2026
April 25, 2026 | 11am – 4pm | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Fairview, NC
Local Cloth’s FiberFestival is a celebration of the full fiber life cycle, from farmers and dye plants to the artists and makers who transform them. This annual heritage event and artisan market features live demonstrations, music, food, and an Earth Day celebration in a beautiful farm setting.
Village Potters Grand Reopening
April 11, 2026 | 2pm – 7pm | 44 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC
Rebuilt with the support of donors, volunteers, and neighbors, the expanded Village Potters space is ready to welcome everyone back! The event features studio tours, live demonstrations, new work by resident potters, and a dramatic kazegama kiln firing.
Folk Art Fiber Day
May 10, 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Folk Art Center, East Asheville, NC
Folk Art Fiber Day, a 30-year tradition hosted by the Southern Highland Craft Guild, celebrates the diverse world of fiber arts. from felting and quilting to weaving, spinning, and more. The day features live demonstrations, hands-on activities for all ages, and a chance to watch and learn from talented fiber artists.
GRINDFest 2026
June 13, 2026 | All day | Various Locations | Free
GRINDFest is a celebration of Black business and entrepreneurship, featuring music, food, local vendors, learning opportunities, and community connection.
Spring RAD Studio Art Stroll
May 9, 2026 | 10 am – 5 pm | River Arts District
Explore open studios throughout RAD as artists welcome visitors to their workspaces for demonstrations, discussions, and art sales.
RAD Arts Market
Second Saturdays June – November, Spring–Fall 2026 | 10 AM–5 PM | Foundy St. (between Marquee & Wedge Brewing)
An open-air marketplace featuring displaced and returning RAD artists. Shop handmade works while supporting the district’s recovery. Note: Event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled if raining.
BuskerFest
May 2 & 3 | Various locations across Asheville, NC | Free
The inaugural festival is a free community celebration of Asheville’s vibrant street performing culture, benefiting LEAF Global Arts. It will feature scheduled performances and spontaneous gatherings spread across multiple stages, including Pack Square, Reuter Terrace, Pritchard Park, and the River Arts District.
Uncommon Market
April 26 & May 31 + Additional Dates | 10 AM–4 PM | 1 Foundy Street, Asheville, NC
Asheville’s largest curated pop-up market featuring antiques, art, vintage décor, jewelry, and home furnishings. This outdoor market happens rain or shine, with free admission and parking. Leashed dogs are welcome.
These locally owned studios and businesses offer one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting a resilient and vibrant arts community. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, we hope this guide helps you Redefine the Weekend. No matter where you stop, creativity flows throughout Western Buncombe County, the River Arts District, Leicester, and Candler.
Check ArtsAVL’s Events Calendar for the latest happenings, including gallery openings, artist talks, and seasonal celebrations. Then, view more itineraries and explore All Arts. All Ways.
