Month: December 2025

Blossoming Partnerships: Paper Bouquets, Open Hearts, and Community Impact

Written by Creative Original on December 8, 2025. Posted in Asheville Artists, Asheville News, Makers & Artists, Our Stories, We Recommend.

Celebrating Creativity and the Unique Mission of Open Hearts Art Studio

At the Asheville Emporium, our mission is to celebrate the local heart and soul of Western North Carolina, and few partnerships embody this spirit more beautifully than our collaboration with Open Hearts Art Center. Open Hearts is not just an art program; it is a truly unique and special non-profit organization dedicated to providing a supportive and engaging studio environment for adults with developmental disabilities. This studio offers a creative sanctuary where artists can explore various mediums, painting, sculpture, and crafting our stunning paper flower bouquets, all while finding joy, building confidence, and developing vocational skills.

The work created here is a testament to the boundless potential of every individual, showcasing pure, uninhibited creativity. When you see the vibrant display of these paper bouquets, you’re witnessing the tangible results of this incredible mission. These purchases support an organization that believes what we do, that art is a critical pathway to self-expression and community connection.

The Economic and Creative Impact of Every Stem Sold

The decision to purchase one of these lovely and lasting paper flower bouquets from our gift shop does far more than simply brighten your home, it creates impact throughout our community in tangible and meaningful ways.

First and foremost, 25% of the purchase price goes directly to the artists themselves as paychecks, providing earned income and celebrating their talent. Beyond the studio artists, Open Hearts also hires individuals in our community who’ve been trained to assemble the flowers at home.

This unique program provides flexible, work-from-home opportunities, utilizing the precut and hand-painted paper components from the studio. This structure ensures that every bouquet supports multiple layers of local workers, reinforcing the vocational development goals of Open Hearts and expanding their positive economic footprint across Asheville and surrounding areas.

Sustaining the Future: Program Support and Partnership Commitments

Our relationship with Open Hearts is a reflection of our long-term commitment to ensuring that both the artists and the studios that support them can thrive well into the future. A vital percentage of the sales is returned directly to Open Hearts Art Studio to sustain their programs, covering essential operating costs like art supplies, studio rent, and specialized instructor salaries. This crucial funding allows them to continue offering their unique, free-access studio environment and vocational training that is life-changing for their artists.

Finally, the remaining percentage goes to the Asheville Emporium to sustain our operations, allowing us to continue featuring local artists, dedicating display space to community partners and acting as an active retail channel for unique arts and crafts. By choosing an Open Hearts paper bouquet, you become a direct participant in our efforts to build sustainability for everyone involved and keep the local creative economy flourishing.

A Symphony of Color: The Joyful Art of Jennet Norman

Written by Sarah_Benoit on December 7, 2025. Posted in Asheville Artists, Asheville News, Makers & Artists, Our Stories, Products. No Comments on A Symphony of Color: The Joyful Art of Jennet Norman

From Turkmenistan to the Blue Ridge: A Creative Journey

Here at the Asheville Emporium, we adore celebrating artists whose journeys are as colorful and inspiring as their creations, and Jennet Norman is truly one of a kind! Born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 1987, Jennet’s artistic path began early, with studies at the Nurali Art School for Children from 1999 to 2003. Life took a detour after school, leading her into retail rather than art. However, creativity, like nature, always finds a way to bloom! In 2011, a breathtaking trip to the Republic of Adygea in the Russian Federation sparked a profound artistic “reawakening.” The sheer visual beauty of the region reignited her passion, convincing her to pursue painting seriously once more and truly make her mark on the world. Jennet’s artistic journey brought her to the United States in August 2016, and we’re so lucky she now calls North Carolina home, enriching our local art scene with her extraordinary talent.

The Magic Touch of Color and Romance

Jennet is an absolute master of color, and her work radiates an infectious joy that springs from her deepest artistic philosophies. “Painting for me is not a work but rather rest for the soul and joy. I strive to share this joy in every work with my audience,” she shares, and you can truly feel this sentiment in every brushstroke! Regardless of the motif, her unchanging admiration for the richness of natural color is palpable, conveying a wonderful sense of spontaneity and immediacy across a wide spectrum of genres. Her current artistic endeavors are heavily influenced by romanticism, striving to comprehend and reflect these eternal aesthetic categories with an incurable romantic’s heart. Jennet’s paintings are now in demand worldwide, a testament to her unique vision and ability to connect with art lovers across cultures.

Bring Home a Piece of Pure Artistic Joy

Jennet Norman’s art is super unique and genuinely one of the most vibrant pieces of Asheville you can bring home. Her ability to wield color with such confidence and convey an unyielding sense of optimism makes her work instantly recognizable and deeply uplifting. Each painting is a testament to her journey, her passion for life, and her profound ability to find and express beauty in the world. When you choose a piece from Jennet’s collection, you’re not just purchasing art, you’re inviting a burst of joyful energy and a touch of heartfelt romanticism into your space. Her work stands out as a truly special memento, reflecting the creative and spirited essence of Asheville. Explore more of her amazing creations on her Etsy shop.

Rising from the Floodwaters: The Story of Artist Spencer Beals

Written by Sarah_Benoit on December 7, 2025. Posted in Asheville Artists, Asheville News, Makers & Artists, Our Stories, Products.

The Resilience Found in Rebuilding

The Asheville art community is defined by its resilience and tenacity, and no one embodies that spirit more than artist Spencer Beals. In 2024, Spencer faced unimaginable loss when his former studio at Foundation Studios was destroyed by the unprecedented 20-plus feet of flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. This catastrophic event did more than just damage a workspace; it submerged and flooded what Spencer describes as all his life’s work, a devastating blow to a dedicated artist. The cleanup and recovery effort that followed was immense, forcing Spencer into a challenging but necessary rebuild period. Despite the setbacks, his passion for creation never wavered. This story of enduring hardship and bouncing back is now woven into the very fabric of his creative journey.

A New Creative Home at Pink Dog Creative

We’re thrilled to report that after months of recovery, Spencer has successfully navigated his rebuild and has found an incredible new home right here in the River Arts District. He has moved further from the water, safely across the railroad tracks to Pink Dog Creative. Here, he has settled into the large central studio in the “Big Room” alongside nine other talented artists. This new space has been a wonderful fit, providing him with a larger and more open studio environment perfect for his specific artistic process. Spencer’s distinctive work is all crafted using a vibrant mix of mediums, including watercolor, colored pencil, marker, and pen. He is a dedicated presence, often found in his studio creating new pieces. He warmly encourages anyone visiting the area to stop by and say hello anytime, a testament to the open and collaborative spirit of the River Arts District. You can see more of his unique pieces on his website.

The Unbreakable Spirit of an Asheville Original

Spencer’s work is truly super unique and represents one of the best pieces of Asheville you can bring home. His layered mixed media approach captures the city’s unique, colorful, and eclectic energy, reflecting the blend of grit and beauty that defines our local culture. But more than that, his art now carries a powerful story of resilience, recovery, and the unbreakable spirit of the creative community. When you purchase one of his paintings, you are acquiring a piece of art that survived a disaster and now symbolizes hope and rebirth in the face of destruction. You are supporting an artist who has physically rebuilt his career and studio, choosing to stay and thrive right here in WNC. His vibrant pieces are not mere decorations, they are genuine emotional souvenirs. If you are looking for a unique gift or memory to take home from your visit, his work encapsulates the depth and soul of this community unlike anything else.

Beyond GPS: Unfolding the Beauty of WNC with Artist Jim Mitchem

Written by Sarah_Benoit on December 6, 2025. Posted in Asheville Artists, Asheville News, Makers & Artists, Our Stories. No Comments on Beyond GPS: Unfolding the Beauty of WNC with Artist Jim Mitchem

The Unique Art of Aerial View Cartography

At the Asheville Emporium, we seek out creators who capture the spirit of our region in truly special ways, and the work of local map artist Jim Mitchem is a stunning example. Jim brings a lifelong fascination with cartography, a passion sparked in childhood by pirate treasure maps and lost islands, to his unique creations. Unlike modern digital renderings, Jim’s work offers an immersive, nostalgic, and detailed aerial view of the land where you can see the lay of the terrain, mountains, rivers, and even tiny details like buildings and trees. His commitment to this classic, hand-drawn style makes his pieces incredibly unique and special, offering a narrative experience that modern maps can’t match. After retiring to Western North Carolina, Jim’s love for the region expanded his practice, fueling deep research into the place names and rich family histories of our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. We’re proud to feature Jim, who showcases his talent with the talented collective at Art Mob Studios in Hendersonville.

The Gift of Perception and Handcrafted Detail

Jim’s art is defined by what he calls his “gift of perception,” the ability to translate the vast, complex landscape of the Appalachian region onto paper with stunning clarity and charm. You won’t find any computer enhancements in his process; every map is an individually hand-signed 16″ x 20″ print of his original watercolor, pen, and ink originals. His body of work includes beautiful maps of the Outer Banks, as well as detailed explorations of our mountain region. Some of our favorite pieces on display trace the historic pathways of the Appalachian Trail, from its southern terminus in Springer Mountain, through Standing Indian in Georgia, and deep into the Smoky Mountain National Park. Another stunning piece covers the heart of Western North Carolina, featuring towns like Asheville, Hendersonville, and Black Mountain, creating a genuine, handcrafted keepsake that captures the essence of a mountain journey.

Connect to the Community with a Lasting Souvenir

When you purchase one of Jim Mitchem’s maps at the Asheville Emporium, you’re acquiring more than just a souvenir; you’re investing in local artistry and taking home a piece of WNC history. We’re thrilled to act as a retail home for Jim’s work, connecting his talent directly with our customers. The sale of these unique maps provides critical support for an artist committed to documenting the beauty and heritage of our local geography. Whether you’re a long-term local, an avid hiker, or a visitor seeking a perfect, lasting reminder of your time here, Jim’s maps serve as a constant source of discovery. They make phenomenal gifts for anyone on your list, allowing you to literally spread the joy and geographical beauty of our beloved region.