Group seeks crowdfunding for affordable artist studios in Asheville RAD

The Tannery, circa 2012./ photo by Jason Sandford

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A group of local artists has launched a crowdfunding effort to create some new, affordable studio space for artists in Asheville’s River Arts District.

828 Studios, led by Gabriel Barrett, Van Arthur and Luke Lechner, are seeking $5,000 via gofundme. The location they’ve identified in The Foundation, a roughly 13-acre property behind Riverview Station off of Riverside Drive that includes several old warehouses.

One of those warehouses served as artist studios called The Tannery and led by mural artist Jeremy Russell. The city of Asheville deemed the location dangerous and kicked the artists out about three years ago. The property was sold, and the new owners have been pouring money into a major renovation. The newly relocated 12 Bones Barbecue restaurant has opened at The Foundation, as as a new indoor skateboard park, RAD Skatepark. A second location of Wedge Brewing is set to open there next week.

The 828isGreat guys are pushing hard for funding to bring the old Tannery space back to life.

“This is our time to take back our creative spaces; if we don’t do this then we’ll forever hold our silence and let a culture of gentrification take over and whitewash our city,” the group wrote recently on an Instagram post at @828isGreat.