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

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.