RAD Rendezvous, a new art event in Asheville's River Arts District, held its grand opening on September 16, 2025, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music by DJ Rob Gray / CPT Hyperdrive, and a celebration with local artists. The event showcased works by numerous artists including Lori Jusino, Rob Czar, Katt Naz, Betsy Kendrick, Pamela Miller, Mara Viksnins, Fernand Poulin, Louise Genetti, Brian Luzader, and Susan Sinyai, with The Radical owner Amy Michaelson Kelly officiating the ribbon-cutting.
This event matters because it marks the formal launch of a community-focused art gathering in Asheville's vibrant River Arts District, strengthening the local creative economy and providing a platform for regional artists to connect with the public. The celebration underscores the district's role as a cultural hub and highlights grassroots efforts to sustain and promote visual arts outside major metropolitan centers.