At the heart of the WNC Artist Market is a simple, powerful idea: artists building something for artists. This platform wasn’t born in a boardroom—it came out of the lived experience of two people who know what it’s like to create, to hustle, and to be overlooked by big platforms and gallery gatekeepers.
Chris and Carol, the team behind the WNC Artist Market, are both deeply rooted in the creative world. Chris began his journey as an artist in the late ’70s, selling etched slate at art shows up and down the East Coast. He later built a decades-long career in design, marketing, and web development—but he never stopped being an artist at heart. Along the way, he also taught marketing for artists at the School of the Arts in Ludlow, Vermont—an experience that shaped his passion for helping creatives succeed not just in their studios, but in the marketplace.
Carol brings 16 years of marketing and sales expertise from the Biltmore Estate, where she connected visitors with meaningful, story-driven experiences. That same instinct for storytelling and presentation now helps local artists stand out and get seen.
Together, Chris and Carol created what Asheville and Western North Carolina have long needed: a dedicated online marketplace where local artists aren’t buried by algorithms or charged outrageous commissions. Instead, they’re supported by real people who understand the work, the struggle, and the value behind every piece of art.
This isn’t Etsy. This isn’t corporate. This is personal. Built by artists, for artists—with real marketing muscle behind it. And that’s exactly why it works.
