Last night I attended the grand opening of Pink Dog Creative Studios on Lyman St. in the River Arts District.  The property is a creative venture by artist/designer Randy Shull and creative entrepreneur Hedy Fisher.  The building will house workshops, artist studios, community space and eventually a new restaurant adding its signature to the growing venues in the River District of Asheville.

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Paper Clothing from the Mars Manufacturing Company It has been three years now since I saw this fun exhibit at the Asheville Museum of Art. The museum hosted a collection of paper dresses made here in Asheville by the Mars Manufacturing Co. where the Riverview Station is on Lyman St. today. In review this fashion trend started in 1966, when Scott Paper Co. introduced disposable clothing as a promotion gimmick with a sleeveless shift selling for $1.00. It was so shapeless that it recalled a paper bag. But for a country now accustomed to throw-away cups, plates, napkins and diapers, paper clothing seemed a logical next step. Scott sold 500,000 dresses in eight months, and the strong response had other manufacturers and designers joining the paper chase.By 1967, Mars Manufacturing Company of Asheville was the nation's leading producer of paper dresses, selling 80,000 to 100,000 a week. From its basic A-line shift, the company expanded its line to include bell-bottom jump suits, evening gowns, aprons, men's vests, children's dresses and even swimming trunks. The rage for paper lasted a short time and by 1974 it was already passé. At that point the Mar's Manufacturing Company began experimenting with other uses for paper clothing and eventually developed a successful line of disposable garments to be worn in factories and hospitals.Images and text courtesy of the Asheville Museum of Art

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Sunday, September 26th is WNC's Green Building Council's tour of Green Homes For Sale in the area.  Over 20 homes will be available for viewing between noon and 4pm.  Go to www.wncgbc.org for details and a free tour guide.To the right is a contemporary home that will be on the tour - 80 Horizon Hill Rd.

Architecture in the Public Interest:  The Roles of Academia, Prof.  Georgia Bizios. Established in 2004, the Home Environments Design Initiative (HEDI) at NC State’s College of Design initiates, facilitates and coordinates scholarship, research and outreach services in the area of quality design for home environments. HEDI provides a forum for the discussion of housing design issues among academics, professionals and the public. Join us at ADC and be a part of the discussion! Sept. 15 at 6:30pm, Asheville Design Center. Information courtesy of Asheville Design Center