About Us
Welcome to Riverside Collective LLC, a community of makers, artists, and innovators deeply integrated with the Saxapahaw community. Each of our artists not only contributes to our collective but also shares a unique bond with the village, infusing their creations with the spirit and beauty of Saxapahaw.
Nestled in the heart of Saxapahaw, we embrace the "slow art" movement, akin to slow food, which prioritizes sustainability and community engagement over mass production. This philosophy is deeply integrated into our creative processes, allowing us to produce art with intention and integrity, distinctly apart from the corporate art world.
Our collective is a vibrant hub where authenticity is the cornerstone. We show up as we are and create without constraints. Our connection to the local community, the Haw River, and the surrounding land is vital, influencing not only the art we make but also the life we share within Saxapahaw.
**Meet the Artists of Riverside Collective:**
- **Ruth Turner** [@buzzard_witch_art](https://instagram.com/buzzard_witch_art): Ruth moved to Saxapahaw in 2012, drawn by the village’s reclaimed industrial spaces and the stunning natural surroundings. Her work blends painting, digital illustration, and graphic design, with themes of nature, balance, and mystery through a mystical lens. Ruth's deep-rooted fascination with witchcraft and magic shines in her art and community contributions, including our logo and the custom menus for the Saxapahaw General Store.
- **Katie Pape** [@k.francespape]: Katie and her family were captivated by the community's warmth and the enchanting environment of Saxapahaw, moving here in 2022. Her art, inspired by Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin, merges post-impressionism with modern figurative techniques, creating vivid, emotionally compelling canvases. Katie's work invites viewers to explore a world where color theory and emotion blend seamlessly.
- **Leigh Brown** [@leighannbrown369]: Feeling the energetic pull of Saxapahaw back in 2001, Leigh has been a vibrant part of the village's healing community at The Bridge Wellness Center. With no formal art training but a plethora of experience as an art model in NYC and Florence, Leigh’s current study of Neurographica™ informs her therapeutic art workshops aimed at enhancing life through creativity. Her art and workshops offer a meditative space for self-exploration and present-moment awareness.
- **Julia Greenwood** [@milestonebagco]: Julia’s leather crafting journey began unexpectedly in Saxapahaw in 2010 as a therapeutic endeavor after her father's sudden death. The community's support was clear when a villager asked to buy the first bag she ever made. After years traveling and enhancing her craft in Taos, NM, and running her studio in Siler City, she returned to Saxapahaw to contribute to the collective with her internationally acclaimed Milestone designs and intimate leather workshops.
- **Chris Nygren** [@joyfaring]: Drawn to Saxapahaw by the historical textile mill, Chris has settled into village life while also building a home on nearby mountain land. She uses natural dyes and locally-sourced fibers to craft her handwoven textiles. Each piece is designed as a tool for meditation and celebration, promoting a connection with our inner spiritual lives.