What is not there becomes, in its absence, as important to the meaning of the piece as what remains.A new exhibit opens at Artery, the Asheville Area Arts Council gallery on Depot street in the River Arts District. I attended the opening last night and was struck by the balanced relationship between the four artists. Combined, Akira Satake (clay), Barbara Zaretsky (textiles), Brian Boggs (wood) and Barbara Fisher (paintings) represent a modern aesthetic that is uniquely Asheville. Given the clean lines crafted from earthy materials, throw in some soft geometry and symbology I could imagine seeing this timeless collection in a Manhattan apartment or stumbling upon it in a remote mud dwelling. Ever so quietly, it spans time and place.All four artists keep studios in various locations near the river. If you haven't done so already, take some time to visit this area and tour all the new things happening there. There is creative food in two new restaurants as well as several new galleries. Conveniently, next weekend is the Studio Stroll so there are no more excuses for finding yourself in the space between downtown and the French Broad, known affectionately as The River Arts District.Text and photos by Troy Winterrowd