With a plethora of public art on display, Asheville is practically a living gallery — and there's always room for more masterpieces. Here are the deets on three public art sculptures from the City of Asheville that will soon grace greenways and city streets.

Art Deco Masterpiece Redesign

In April of 2024, the city put out a call for artists to redesign stop No. 7 on the Asheville Urban Trail. Rachel David of Red Metal was selected by a panel for the project and has since been hard at work in her Waynesville studio. Check out some behind-the-scenes pics. David's design, an artistic bench, will be integrated into the outdoor seating area of the S&W Market. Installation is planned for October 2025.

This sketch by artist Rachel David shows the front view of the bench. | Photo via City of Asheville

A playable harp

Originally set to be installed at the Broadway Public Safety Station, the piece designed by artists Nick Geurts and Alex Irvine will now be situated on the Reed Creek Greenway near the intersection with Ocala Street. The playable harp will be covered in hundreds of clay tiles created by the community. Installation is expected this fall.

Your handmade tiles will adorn this public art piece. | Rendering via City of Asheville

Even more Playful Art

Another piece of playable art is headed to Jake Rusher Park in South Asheville. Artist Becky Borlan, known for her ultra colorful and vibrant resin art, was tapped to create the piece following the park's 2021 makeover. The timeline was pushed back a bit after some modifications to the design — installation is now slated for this month, August 2025.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtjNn1yraDj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkWhile we welcome these new projects, let's also appreciate the extraordinary artwork that's already here. If you haven't explored the Asheville Urban Trail, this dip in summer heat is the perfect time. And while you're downtown, you can check out some of AVLtoday's favorite public art pieces that aren't part of the trail.