Hello Buncombe County!
You have probably driven past the building without knowing what was inside it. Honey bees cover the walls at 23 Merrimon Avenue in Weaverville, painted by Matt Willey on his way to 50,000 of them worldwide, one for every bee in a healthy hive. The beekeeping shop that brought him here closed at the end of last year, and four partners took the space. This Friday it opens as Dry Ridge Gallery, with more than 50 regional artists inside and the bees still on the outside. We asked the partners how it came together.
Tell us the story behind your business. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?
There are four of us, and we all know artists who were displaced by the hurricane. We were presented with an opportunity to repurpose the Good of the Hive building in Weaverville, and we knew immediately what we should do with it.
Matt Willey, the artist behind the beautiful bees, hives and flowers, was an inspiration in this decision also.
Why Buncombe County? What made you choose this area to plant roots?
Buncombe County is where we have all grown up, or spent most of our lives. In our opinion there is nowhere better to open a business.
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What's something about your business that most people don't know?
We have a wide variety of art mediums from 57 artists, spanning across the local region, and we have the greatest gallery manager ever.
What's been your biggest challenge as a small business owner here?
We can't think of any challenges. The Town of Weaverville has been amazing to work with, along with local businesses in the area.
The process to get to where we are today took input from all four partners working together.
What's been your most rewarding moment so far?
Watching the space go from a blank slate to watching artists fill it with their art, and with their love of each other's art.
We are completely blessed by our founding artists, their input, cooperation and extraordinary work.
What's next for you? Anything exciting coming up that readers should know about?
We hope to be adding a wine and tap bar and lounge to the facility soon. We also hope to bring in more food trucks, and lots of fun and entertainment on our outside patio.
If you go What: Dry Ridge Gallery grand opening Where: 23 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville When: Friday, September 4th | 11am – 8pm Also happening: Community art event led by ArtFolk at 4pm, reception at 5pm, live music, food truck and refreshments
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Weaverville has quietly turned into one of the better art stops in the county. Dry Ridge adds more than 50 artists to that walk, in a building most people already know by its bees. Friday is as good an excuse as any to drive north.
Find them at dryridgegallery.com | @dryridge_gallery
Three ways to support them:
Show up Friday and buy something from a founding artist.
Get on the artist wait list if you make work in the region.
Email [email protected] if you run a food truck and want the patio.
See you Thursday for events around the county, plus another One to Know.
Please send over any feedback as we always read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.
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Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our readers in Buncombe County? Drop us a line here → [email protected]
