The CREATIVES
Below are a list of the people and businesses who can be found at The Asheville Cotton Mill Studios. Press on the links in their bios for more information.
VISIT NOW DURING THEIR SOFT OPENING
Check instagram and Facebook for hours
GUAJIRO CUBAN COMFORT FOOD
Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food is a family-run Cuban eatery and cocktail bar located at the Asheville Cotton Mill. Owner Chris Barroso serves up traditional Cuban comfort dishes inspired by family recipes—think slow-roasted pork, congri, tostones, and Cuban sandwiches—along with Cuban coffee and rotating specials.
Guajiro started as a food truck on the Cotton Mill property. They lost everything in the flood but re-opened in another food truck an Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village. They will return as a full restaurant and cocktail bar in Studio A as a vibrant gathering place for artists, locals, and visitors. The food truck will remain open at Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village.
For menus, hours, and events, visit Guajiro’s website www.guajiroasheville.com on Instagram @guajiroavl or Facebook @Guajiro.
They open daily.
Amanda McLenon, Elizabeth Porritt Carrington and Kelcey Loomer of Ochre Rose Gallery
OCHRE ROSE GALLERY & STUDIOS
Ochre Rose is a magical, light-filled gallery founded by three female artists who believe this collaboration is kismet. Elizabeth Porritt Carrington, Kelcey Loomer, and Amanda McLenon have transformed the former Guitar Bar space into a warm, inviting space filled with paintings full of story and soul. Their large canvases depict nature and folklore and the open studio design allows visitors to interact with the artists and learn these stories. Instagram @ochrerosegallery. www.ochrerosegallery.com
Luxe House Photographic
AKA René Treece Roberts is a fine art and portrait photographer. Her works surpass the notion of past, present, and future and capture the timeless qualities of emotional depth and classical beauty. She specializes in one of a kind children’s portraiture and fine art printing. Robert’s digs deep into our Appalachian landscape to document and bring to life a world that's laden in nature’s texture, natural yet atmospheric lighting, and other worldly character depth. She has most recently traveled to England, Scotland, and Cuba to work on her photographic dreams.
See gallery of her work here: www.luxehousephotographic.com
Amanda mclenon fine art
(b.1975 Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA)
Amanda McLenon is a fine art painter with a soft, glowing style focusing on dramatic light. Her scientific background informs her depictions of nature, but the emotional elements of her paintings bring them to life. Amanda’s career started with a chance experiment with paint while completing her Masters in Marine Biology degree in Charleston, SC. She was quickly recognized for her accurate wildlife paintings and unique style, and in 2012 she received the prestigious Lowcountry Artist of the Year award. For over 16 years, she has exhibited in dozens of juried shows across the US and is internationally collected. Amanda’s work has evolved from small acrylic on glass to oil paintings of egrets and herons, bears, and other wildlife; immortalized larger than life with 23 karat gold and genuine silver leaf on panel. In 2022, she moved to the mountains of WNC, and opened the Amanda McLenon Fine Art Gallery. In late 2024, she lost her beloved space, due to hurricane Helene’s unprecedented destruction of the River Arts District. Amanda is a self-described bird-nerd who loves teaching, science, yoga, thrifting, cycling, and volunteering as a foster for local animal rescues. She is now showing in both studio 13 as co-founder of Asheville Fine Art Gallery, and studio 14 in Ochre Rose Gallery and Studios- both on the first floor of the Cotton Mill.
See her work here: www.amandamclenon.com
Alison press art
Alison Press is an Asheville -based painter, collagist, and printmaker whose work brings a fresh perspective to the artistic capture of the spirit of the Blue Ridge Mountain Region. Through bold colors, layered textures and expressive forms, Alison creates original abstract art that connects with collectors, galleries and art lovers to a story beyond realism. Her paintings are described as vibrant, joyful and alive - art that feel as dynamic as the mountains and blooms that inspire them.
You are invited to visit Alison at her Alison Press Art working studio and gallery space in Studio F at the historic Asheville Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District of Asheville to see for yourself the original abstract art that transforms spaces with color, movement and joy. Learn more about Alison and see the full array of her portfolio and talent at www.alisonpressart.com
Align asheville
Chiropractic Care. Natural health solutions that keep your body in motion. My hope is for you to experience chiropractic and health care in what is, perhaps, a new way. I have designed my Asheville practice with you in mind, creating a pleasant, soothing environment for healing. This personalized model means direct contact with me for most interactions, ample time reserved for your appointments, short wait times, straightforward policies and a relationship where your needs are seen and valued above all. I am committed to listening carefully to your story, treating you safely and effectively, and cultivating empowerment along the way. Focused, individualized care means better results and a more enjoyable experience. Visit Kirsten at www.alignasheville.com
(b. 1978 Rural New Hampshire, USA)
Kelcey Loomer’s artwork is an invitation into a world where memory, folklore, and imagination converge. Drawing from a deep sense of place, her narrative works are rooted in storytelling—a passion shaped by a lifelong love of picture books and novels. At the core of her work is an exploration of belonging. She approaches her mark making with an intuitive process that welcomes uncertainty and discovery, resulting in work that leaves space for unforeseen connections and mystery.
Elizabeth Porritt Carrington
Elizabeth Porritt Carrington’s eco-contemplative art practice invites us to re-establish our relationship with the cycles of life and their home in the natural world. Through an interplay of nature, mythology, ecology and a deep interest in the human story, Carrington’s art is the expression of an ongoing conversation with the Earth. Born in Ireland in 1978 Carrington has been a professional artist and art educator for over 25 years. She has worked and lived in Ireland and France until settling in the River Arts District of Asheville NC in 2013.
Grief, a close companion in Carrington’s practice, has been an unexpected wellspring. Carrington found herself driven into the natural world for solace after a series of losses. Finding unexpected kinship with Nature, she began seeking ways to express the journeys we make back and forth between love and grief and their inextricable link to Nature’s cycles. Carrington works with earth paints, pigments, acrylics, watercolor as well as new media, making paintings, drawings, video sketchbooks and soundscapes. The bio- regions of Southern Appalachia, and her travels home to Ireland are very present in her work.
Carrington graduated from the Atlantic Technological University in Galway in 2002. She went on to receive awards for research, travel and studio practice from the Galway Arts Office, Irish Arts Council and most recently RAD Asheville. Carrington has exhibited internationally, notably The Asheville Museum, Centre de Culture Irlandaise, Paris, and the US Embassy in Kazakstan. Carrington has been exhibited extensively in Southeast USA. Her work is privately collected and in public collections including Mission Hospital’s north tower in Asheville NC, and the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris. Through arts funding and volunteerism, Carrington has worked in community arts projects, as well as tutoring in educational institutions from elementary to college level.
For enquiries
www.elizabethcarringtonart.com
Tel: 001 828 707 0623
Linsey Gray Fine Art and Designer
Linsey Gray is a fine artist and surface designer. Inspired by the quiet, often overlooked moments, her work explores finding peace in moments of uncertainty, drawing our attention to overgrown trail banks, heavy fog, and tangled branches that offer shelter and encourage a mindful pace. Each austere landscape is an invitation to pause, embrace the present, and envision a path forward. From turning collected twigs into charcoal to meticulously applying a cold wax by hand and building every frame from hand-selected, locally milled wood, her process has evolved into a deeply therapeutic practice. Beyond the easel, Linsey translates select artworks and hand drawn patterns across home textiles, bespoke upholstered furnishings, and statement wallcoverings. To view her available and archived work, learn more about her process, or inquire about custom services, please visit her website at linseygray.com or connect with her on Instagram at @linseygraycreative.
Jonathan bidwell, painter and muralist
Jonathan Bidwell holds a BFA in Drawing & Painting from East Carolina University, but he has been drawing since he was old enough to hold a pencil. His work experience includes a wide variety of fine art, murals, commercial illustration, performance art, and graphic design. The breadth of his work is impressive. He has painted a 300' long mural but can also incorporate amazing detail in a 3" square watercolor. A common thread throughout Jonathan’s work is a focus on current surroundings and events. Jonathan strives to interpret contemporary life and surroundings with unique style and insight. He is currently focusing on landscapes and urbanscapes in oil and his favorite media, watercolor. What many may perceive as mundane, or even ugly, is perhaps the most profound subject matter of all. “When a person can look at my painting of a dilapidated building and say, ‘How beautiful,’ I know I’ve done my job.” When he’s not painting, Jonathan enjoys rock-climbing, riding his motorcycle, playing guitar, and roller-skating with Buster; the best dog in the world. Jonathan’s artwork is on display in Asheville Fine Art Gallery in studio 13 on the first floor of the Cotton Mill.
Visit Jonathan at www.jonathanbidwell.com
Bleu pansy
Hello, my name is Diane McEachen. I am the owner of Bleu Pansy, my jewelry business for the past 8 years. I have always been attracted to color, nature and textures. I have been interested in observing, exploring and collecting items from my surroundings like leaves, flowers and butterflies. These items have been inspiration for my artistic expressions using sterling silver, bronze, brass and copper. These jewelry pieces are formed by using Repousse and chasing techniques. These techniques can be used to make pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings. Making these items “come to life” in jewelry creations brings me so much joy! Visit Diane at www.bleupansy.com