In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation across WNC, we at Pink Dog Creative are deeply saddened by the impact on our beloved community. We are grateful that our building on Depot Street sustained only minimal damage and that everyone is safe.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated volunteers, emergency responders, and contractors who are working tirelessly to support those affected.

Now more than ever, we need your support to help keep the River Arts District a vital, vibrant, and creative place to live, work, shop, eat, and visit. Please consider supporting the artists who are returning to work in the RAD and at Pink Dog Creative.

We’re here, we’re open, and we’re creating. Together, we can rebuild and revitalize our community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Randy Shull and Hedy Fischer are creating a colorful sensation on Depot Street in Asheville’s River Arts District. The former textile manufacturing and warehouse building at 342-348 Depot Street has been transformed into an exciting mix of artist studios and retail spaces.

Pink Dog Creative shares the neighborhood with New Belgium & the Wedge Breweries, 12 Bones Smokehouse and hundreds of local artists. Pink Dog has 34 artists working in their studios, GRIND Coffee Bar, and Fresh West Wood Fired Pizza. Pink Dog raises funds and awareness for people and organizations working to make our communities more equitable and just, including Southside Rising, Youth Artists Empowered and the Edington Center, among others.

Open Hours: Artists work odd hours but we have our studios open for the public most days from 11–5. 
We’re thrilled that Pink Dog Creative was chosen to represent Asheville in this stunning short film.

Ongoing Exhibitions & Artist News

Joanie Krug and Alan Wieder: The Incidental Moment

Pink Dog Gallery
Opening reception Saturday, April 4, 2025, 4:00-6:00pm
April 4–May 4, 2025

Joanie Krug is attracted to the unexpected, even the random event that occurs for each of us on a daily basis. Her work challenges us to embrace the turnarounds in life that leave us with a different perspective and invites us to land in a new space. As a more recent passenger on the painting journey, she has had numerous solo and group exhibitions with collectors found throughout the US and South Africa.
Alan Wieder is a street photographer and oral historian. His forthcoming book, We Will Not Be Removed: The People of King School Park, will be released in the fall. The book is a photographic presentation of individuals who refused to leave their neighborhood park in spite of gentrification.
Joanie’s gestural brushwork and abstracted figurative and landscape work represents the spontaneous and incidental spirit of her social and community perceptions. The moods conveyed suggest a lively energy and connection to her world.

Alan will be showing recent work that he has made on the streets of Asheville. These are images that hope to show the spirit of individuals in their public setting.

Fresh West Pizza has reopened!

Fresh West Wood Fired Pizza proudly announces its reopening, marking a significant milestone in the River Arts District’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact last fall.

In what meteorologists described as a thousand-year geological event, Fresh West narrowly escaped catastrophic damage, with floodwaters stopping just two inches short of entering the establishment. While many neighboring businesses face months of rebuilding, Fresh West stands ready to welcome back the community it has long served.

“We recognize how fortunate we are,” said Mark Tomczak, owner of Fresh West and the original Fresh Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta in Black Mountain. “The difference of just two inches meant we could focus on cleanup rather than complete reconstruction. Our hearts are with our neighbors who weren’t as lucky, and we’re committed to being a gathering place for everyone working to rebuild this special community.”

Fresh West has resumed its regular business hours, offering a full menu. While former manager, Chester Oland, and his wife Caitlin won’t be back, there will be some familiar faces and some new ones. Brandon King, Fresh West’s new manager said that “Mark and I have been working for months to give Fresh West a facelift on the inside and out. The quality of pizza will remain the same, however, and we look forward to creating a much-needed hub for artists, residents, and visitors to the River Arts District.”

“The River Arts District is more than just buildings—it’s a vital creative ecosystem,” added Tomczak. “By reopening our doors, we hope to provide not just exceptional, locally-sourced food and drinks, but also a sense of continuity and hope as recovery efforts continue throughout the district.”

In solidarity with ongoing recovery efforts, Fresh West will donate 10% of proceeds during its reopening week to the River Arts District Artists Relief Fund, supporting local artists whose studios and livelihoods were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The establishment will also host a community gathering on Saturday, March 29, to celebrate resilience and give regular customers an opportunity to see each other again to support continued recovery efforts for the district. Pizzas will be half off that day for River Arts District Artists.

Fresh West has been a beloved fixture in Asheville’s River Arts District for ten years, serving locally-sourced food and beverages while supporting the vibrant arts community. The establishment prides itself on being more than just a restaurant—it’s a community gathering space that celebrates and nurtures the creative spirit of the River Arts District. Fresh will also be offering online ordering and delivery and will be open Wednesdays–Sundays noon–8pm.
Follow Fresh West for more updates on Instagram.

Xcvi and Spencer Beals featured on PBS My Home NC

Follow artist XCVI’s emotional journey after Hurricane Helene devastates Asheville, NC. From the loss of his studio to the strength found in togetherness, his story highlights resiliency, creativity and the power of community. In this #MyHomeNC digital short, witness the transformation of tragedy into inspiration as the people of Asheville come together to rebuild the River Arts District. Spencer Beals and Pink Dog Creative also appear in this short.

Click here to watch the episode.

After the storm…

Our beloved Pink Dog Creative is a project that Randy Shull and Hedy Fischer founded in 2010 in the fledgling River Arts District. The building has dodged Hurricane Helene and the wrath that she left in her wake. Many of our neighbors are not so fortunate. Seventy-five to eighty percent of studios and buildings have been completely devastated- some have washed away completely. The community is coming together to help those who have lost their studios and businesses.

WAYS TO HELP

The River Arts District community is working to restore the creativity and inspiration of our beloved River Arts District. Our goal is to assist our artists as best we can with rent and supplies. The only way this is possible is with your support.

Please click here to donate to for flood relief for artists.

Jewels of the Southern Coast

New photography book by Tim Barnwell

Photographer and author Tim Barnwell has a new book out, Jewels of the Southern Coast: Architectural Gems of Charleston, Savannah and Beyond. The book includes 130 full page black-and-white photographs, made over the past 20 years along the South Carolina and Georgia coast. It highlights the beautiful, historic buildings of coastal towns including civic, governmental, religious and residential structures. Also included are landscape images to set the scene. A brief history of the area with an emphasis on its architecture is included in the Introduction by Robert Salvo. The new book, along with Tim’s seven other titles, are available at his studio, Suite 106, or by calling 828-251-0040, or on his website at www.barnwellphoto.com.

Fundraisers for Ukraine at Studio A

Suite 100

Andrea Kulish, a first generation Ukrainian-American, is raising funds to help Ukraine. At Studio A, Stand With Ukraine stickers, handmade items from Ukraine, pysanky eggs and more are available for purchase by donation. 100% of funds collected are being donated to the UNWLA Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine, which goes directly to four hospitals to help wounded soldiers and civilians, and to aid displaced civilians in Ukraine. Andrea also co-organized and co-hosted an online benefit concert. Click here to watch the concert.

Follow Andrea on Instagram for more of her fundraising updates.

Pink Dog Creative accepted into the Blue Ridge Craft Trails

Pink Dog Creative has been accepted to be part of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. The artists of the building and the building itself will be featured on maps, website and other materials from this non-profit.

Learn more here.

Duke Hospital acquires Randy Shull painting

Raleigh, NC

Duke Hospital acquires Periwinkle by Randy Shull, 2021, 90″ x 70″ for its new Raleigh location. Thanks to Marjorie Hodges with Artsuite; Leigh Bleecker, CEO of Duke Hospital, Raleigh; Dia Holman, Facilities Design Coordinator at Duke Hospital and Tracey Morgan Gallery.

See more of Randy’s work at his website.

Welcome GRIND Coffee Bar and Co-Working Event Space

346 Depot Street, Asheville

Asheville’s first Black-owned coffee shop, GRIND is a place for coffee. It’s also a place for co-working, events, team meetings, business decisions and hanging out enjoying the best coffee in town. GRIND is located at 346 Depot Street and will be open 7 days a week.

For more information call The Grind at 828-785-0233, email [email protected], read the article in Urban news or visit GRIND’s website.

Support GRIND and other Black-Owned Businesses year-round at: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/support-black-owned-businesses/

In Love’s Shadow Featured in The Bitter Southerner

In Love’s Shadow, a short documentary film about Ralph Burns and his multi-decade photography project, How Great Thou Art, is showcased in a recent issue of The Bitter Southerner. The film, made by Jethro Waters, follows Burns as he returns to Graceland on the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, and looks at the relationship of this project to Burns’ fuller body of work. In Love’s Shadow was produced by David Raymond, and was made possible with the generous support of many.

Link to film and article: bittersoutherner.com/in-loves-shadow

Joseph Pearson and Jenny Pickens Lead Artists for Asheville Black Lives Matter Mural

Joseph Pearson and Jenny Pickens were Lead Artists for the Asheville Black Lives Matter Mural. On Sunday, July 19, 20+ artists came together to create this mural in the heart of downtown Asheville. Many thanks go to Councilwoman Sheneika Smith for providing the leadership to bring community members, artists, and the Asheville of City together to create this community project.

Read more about the artists and mural here.

Andrea Kulish Artwork Acquired by Pysanka Museum

Kolomyia, Ukraine

Pink Dog congratulates Andrea Kulish as the Pysanka Museum in Kolomyia, Ukraine acquires three of her pysanky eggs for their permanent collection. The museum will be launching their first-ever exhibit dedicated to the pysanka artists of North America. This historic exhibit will present how traditional pysanky writing was preserved in North America by waves of immigrants and enthusiasts, and how the artform has grown to include innovative techniques, methodology and creativity.

Visit the museum’s website to learn more.

Randy Shull’s Open Space acquired by

Congratulations to Randy Shull as the Asheville Art Museum acquires Open Space. Shaping negative space with a combined artistic and mathematical precision, Shull explores the boundaries and intersections between furniture and fine art. In Open Space, sculptural components comment on the relationship between furniture and art as well as their implications when occupying a shared environment. Considering furniture to be an equalizer among people in its ubiquity and daily utility, Shull encourages us to not only reconsider our personal rapport with furniture but also the ways in which we navigate our world.

See more of Randy’s work at his website.

Hedy Fischer appointed to Art21 Board of Trustees

Hedy Fischer, co-founder of Pink Dog Creative, has been named to sit on the Board of Trustees of Art21. Art21 provides unparalleled access to the artist’s voice to diverse audiences around the world, using the power of digital media to introduce millions of people to contemporary art and artists. For over two decades, Art21 has changed the paradigm for teaching and learning about the creative process.

In addition to its Peabody Award-winning PBS-broadcast television series Art in the Twenty-First Century, Art21 produces the digital film series New York Close Up and Extended Play; as well as special artist projects. Art21 also creates educational resources and professional development programs; annual public programming; an online publication featuring guest contributors; and a comprehensive website at Art21.org.

Community Container Project in The Laurel

Pink Dog Creative’s Community Container Project was recently featured in The Laurel. Connection was a theme for Trinity Harper Pierce as she created her work. “If you don’t love your community, there are lots of things that could happen that could be bad, like more violence and heartache,” says Pierce. “It’s sad to see families lose loved ones to violence.” Pierce says creating art helps her feel calm and express herself, and seeing her art on such a large scale gave her lots of emotions. “I feel a little bit nervous because I have never done anything like this and I am excited at the same time,” she says. “I hope that when people see the mural that their hearts grow bigger than the heart in the middle.”

Read the full article at The Laurel website.

Pink Dog Creative and 22 London Featured in Burnaway article

Pink Dog Creative, 22 London, and the upcoming exhibit Say It Loud at 22 London were all mentioned in a new article in Burnaway, The Voice of Art in the South. The article is entitled How Did Asheville Make the List of 40 Most Vibrant Arts Communities in America? by Diana Stoll.

Read the full article at burnaway.org here and the original research findings about the 40 Most Vibrant Art Cities here.

Randy Shull work acquired by Spartanburg Art Museum

Spartanburg, SC

Pink Dog congratulates Randy Shull as the Spartanburg Art Museum acquires Striped Reflection, a recent piece from his reflection series that explores the relationship between painting and furniture. Fundamentally, Shull says the work is about pairing and relationships.

See more of Randy’s work at his website.

Viola Spells featured in the Mountain Xpress

Viola Spells was featured in Mountain Xpress article Two Local Artists Follow Their Passions in the RAD by Alli Marshall.

Read the article here.

Fresh West Pizza in the Mountain Xpress

Read Liisa Andreassen’s interview of the owner of FRESH West- Quick Dish: Q + A with Mark Tomczak of FRESH Wood Fired Pizza in the Mountain Xpress – read the article here. 

10 Top U.S. Cities for Art Lovers: Asheville

Pink Dog Creative is the feature photo for a “Top 10” article on AARP!

Read more at AARP Travel online.

Asheville, North Carolina is unlike anywhere else in the South

“[Asheville’s] singular mix of worldliness and hominess gives it a character unique among cities below the Mason-Dixon line.”

“A visit to the emerging River Arts District felt more my speed. A string of converted industrial buildings along the French Broad river, it’s now home to working artists in spaces that New York creatives would give both arms for. It’s impossible to categorize the talent here, but in just a few hours, I met abstract-animal painter Daniel McClendon (349 Depot St., danielmcclendon.com) and record producer-turned ceramicist Akira Satake (191 Lyman St., akirasatake.com), whose airy workshop houses his wife’s exquisite pastry shop, Yuzu Patisserie (191 Lyman St., yuzubycynthia.com).”

Read more of this article at the NY Daily News.