ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A new River Arts District workforce initiative is turning creative talent into economic opportunities.
The Asheville Poverty Initiative selected five local artists participating in the new program, Artways: Asheville, who are debuting their work on Friday, July 10, in the inaugural “We Were Always Here” exhibit.
For artist Vinny Flowers, one of the five participants, he said seeing pieces hanging inside the RAD Rendezvous is fulfilling his longtime goal: accessing one of the city’s busiest art spots.
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“Having this space going forward to put my art in and create new pieces and just kind of have that space to share my work will be an integral part of making more money,” Flowers said.
Jeffrey Burroughs, president of the River Arts District Artists Foundation, said this free program is paving a path to careers for natural talents at different stages of fighting housing insecurity.
JULY 10, 2026 – Artwork part of the “We Were Always Here” exhibit at the River Arts District Welcome Center. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
“What if we actually invested in people? What if we actually invested in folks in our community?” said Burroughs. “What would it be like if we worked with people and their natural talents and helped them create pathways into economic stabilization for themselves and for their families?”
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Unlike traditional arts programs focused primarily on exposure, Artways: Asheville is designed to connect artists to hands-on opportunities with professional training, mentorship, business education and exhibition opportunities, Burroughs said. The goal is to help artists facing disparities break into Asheville’s arts economy and access creative spaces, program leaders said.
Even after this program ends, RADA is offering participants a stipend if they want to become a program coordinator afterwards.