Huge mural-painting project in Asheville seeks $16,000 in crowdfunding support

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Asheville mural artist Ian Wilkinson is helping lead a project that he says will be the biggest mural-painting project ever seen in Asheville this May. It will be held May 20-22 as part of the Burners and BBQ mural-painting event that’s been held each of the last two years. Donate here.

Wilkinson tells me that the plan is to paint the Asheville Waste Paper complex on Riverside Drive. The mural work will improve the look of the center and more officially draw it into the River Arts District, he says. There will be more than 15,000 square feet of mural space and more than 50 artists invited to paint over three days.

Wilkinson said the group has a crowdfunding goal of $16,000. That money will mainly just cover painting supplies, he says.

Here’s the full story, as posted on the youcaring page for the Burners and BBQ mural-painting event:

Burners and Barbecue is an annual outdoor mural event heading into its third successful year here in Asheville, NC. This year we plan to give the River Arts District its largest painting to date and transform the view of Riverside Drive, but a project of this size and scope needs your help to make it happen!

Our changing city has many important decisions to make about how they wish to move forward with the artistic community here. With Asheville’s uncertainty over its developing arts community, we believe a collaborative project is the best way to strengthen the relationship. Every year we organize this all inclusive, family friendly event to bring together creative professionals who are honored to give their time and effort as a gift to our community. This years event will fully embody what the mural artists here have to offer, as well as proving Asheville to be a destination city for world renowned artists and art lovers alike.

We cannot make this happen without community support. Whatever you can contribute will go directly to materials used for the creation of this project. Help us keep art alive in Asheville.
This event will occur in conjunction with the studio stroll in a new event called RADical Daze May 20,21, 22. with support from RADA and Arts 2 People, and the kind Pace family at the Asheville Waste Paper Mill for providing this large canvas.