John Mac Kah

The original Asheville Cotton Mill was built in 1896, with additions as late as 1930. It was purchased later by Moses Cone a leading textile manufacturer. The factory produced cotton sheeting, mens' shirting and denim along with other cotton fabrics. The building extended along Riverside Drive for over three blocks. During World War I & II they produced fabrics for uniforms and was an important work site for families living in the area. It was finally closed and laid off the all workers in 1973 and was abandoned. During plans for restoration and site development, in 1996 a fire started by an unknown arsonist, destroying a major portion of the building. All that was left was the now derelict boiler building and the factor's building, now known as Cotton Mill Studios. It's interesting to note that Moses Cone's daughters were collectors of Modernist Art. The sisters were friends with writer and art collector, Gertrude Stein advised them when they were in Paris and introduced them to artists there. The family summer home Moses Cone Manor is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway north and is open to visitors during the summer months.

Converted to artists' studios in the early 1980's by a developer whose intent was to provide artists with affordable work space, the building now known as Cotton Mill Studios , was subsequently purchased by Eileen and Marty Black, who have their pottery studio, The Potter's Mark located on the ground floor. As part of the mill the functional brick building housed the shipping and receiving office, served as storage and provided access as a loading dock for a rail siding. Trains run daily behind the buildling.

My studio, Long Branch Studios is upstairs on the left. The long hallway-gallery upstairs is shared by the painters who work in three of the four studios (one is residential); downstairs are studios of another painter, the pottery, and a residential flute-maker, all members of the River District Artist's Association. The River Arts Disctrict comprises several blocks of what was once an area of light industry located on the French Broad River.

Long Branch Studios is "H" and can be accessed through the central stairwell. The address is 122 Riverside Drive and can be reached by car from downtown via several routes. Best check Mapquest or other map sites for directions. There is good information about all of the studios in the area, along with more detailed history on the RDA website (www.riverdistrictartists.com). We don't want to disappoint you. Please contact us for an appointment to visit.