The City of Asheville, in partnership with the Public Art and Culture Commission and the Urban Trail Committee, has announced the installation and upcoming dedication of a new public artwork called Fluvial. The sculpture was created by metal worker Rachel David of Red Metal. It will serve as both an art piece and seating, located near the outdoor dining area in front of the historic S&W Building, next to The Times Bar & Coffee.
Fluvial replaces Station #7 on Asheville’s Urban Trail, which had been vacant for some time. The design draws inspiration from Art Deco architecture, particularly Douglas Ellington’s S&W Building, as well as David’s own artistic style.
To facilitate installation of the new artwork at 56 Patton Avenue, part of the sidewalk and one lane of traffic will be closed on Tuesday morning, November 11. After installation, Fluvial will remain covered until its official unveiling during a ceremony scheduled for Thursday, November 13 at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend this event where light refreshments will be provided.
A call for artists was issued in April 2024 to reimagine Station 7 on the Urban Trail. A selection panel composed of members from the Public Art and Culture Commission and community stakeholders chose Rachel David’s concept through a competitive process. In July 2024, the commission recommended that her design move forward. Since then, city staff have collaborated with both David and local residents throughout each phase from design to fabrication and installation.
The original Station 7 artwork was designed by Carleton Collins and James Barnhill as an Art Deco mosaic funded by Mrs. Camille Roberts. Constructed in Venice, Italy before being shipped to Asheville, it measured four feet by seven feet and was initially embedded into a sidewalk at Haywood Street. Over time it suffered damage due to water exposure and foot traffic; it was later relocated to an exterior facade before being placed in storage following building renovations. Despite efforts to reinstall it elsewhere using public art funds—including exploring several mock-up locations—challenges related to visibility, safety concerns, property availability or utility conflicts prevented its return outdoors. As a result, in mid-2023 officials began planning for an entirely new piece better suited for available space while maintaining views of the S&W Building. Plans are ongoing to find a safe indoor location for the original mosaic; further details will be shared once arrangements are finalized.
The Urban Trail project began in 1989 with aims to highlight Asheville’s history through public art installations across downtown spaces. By 1992 volunteers formed a committee that worked with city staff over ten years installing thirty artworks along a 1.7-mile route—most funded privately—with Walk into History completing the series in May 2002 when all pieces were officially accepted into Asheville’s public art inventory. Since then these stations have been maintained or updated by city staff working alongside commission members and volunteers from The Urban Trail Committee. In recent years enhancements included new branding plus an interactive map via Explore Asheville through collaboration with local organizations such as the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation; three trail stations received re-dedication ceremonies in 2021.
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