Inside Asheville’s Print House
Words by Ashley Locke
Photos by Nicole McConville
There’s something magnetic about Asheville. Maybe it’s the way the Blue Ridge Mountains roll like waves on the horizon. Or the way creativity hums through every muraled alleyway, every indie bookstore, every surprise pop-up performance on a sidewalk corner. But even in a city full of color and character, one new space is standing out—and it’s doing so in ink.
Welcome to Print House, Asheville’s newly opened printmaking studio, gallery, and education hub tucked in the heart of downtown on Carolina Lane. It’s part working studio, part community space, and entirely a labor of love. And if you’re the kind of traveler who seeks out the soul of a place through its art, this is a must-stop spot.
Print House may be new in name, but its legacy runs deep. Formerly Asheville Print Studio, the original space was founded in 2017 by artist and educator Denise Markbreit. Over the years, it grew from a single etching press to a bustling community of artists and students. Then came Hurricane Helene. In 2023, the storm ravaged the studio, leaving presses waterlogged and the spirit of the space on shaky ground.
But like the best prints—layered with pressure, imperfections, and heart—the new studio emerged stronger. With the help of grants, community support, and a dose of creative grit, Denise and fellow artist Anna Bryant rebuilt from the ground up. The result is Print House: 2,300 square feet of light-filled, ink-stained magic that embodies everything they love about their craft.
Print House is a place to watch creativity unfold in real time. Walk through the front doors and you’ll find an open, working print studio, where visitors can observe artists at work pulling prints, mixing ink, and coaxing ideas into life. The adjacent gallery features original work by Anna and Denise, as well as rotating exhibitions by regional and national guest artists. The result is a space that feels vibrant, tactile, and alive.
Anna’s prints explore the symbolic movement of the human form, distilled into essential shapes and gestures. Her style is fluid and emotional—less about capturing reality and more about interpreting what she feels.
Denise, on the other hand, is drawn to quiet observation and detail. Her work is grounded in sketching, linework, and the kind of texture that invites you to lean in a little closer. Together, their styles feel like a conversation—one that’s both thoughtful and bold.
The upstairs of Print House is where the real magic happens—especially if you’re the hands-on type.
The second floor is now home to the Print House Education Center, where workshops and classes invite artists of all levels to dive into the world of printmaking. Even if you’re a total beginner or someone who hasn’t touched a press since art school, there’s a space here for you to experiment, learn, and play.
And it’s not just about art—it’s about doing it sustainably. Print House is proud to be a green studio, using solvent-free methods and environmentally conscious practices in every step of the process.
What makes Print House special isn’t just its gorgeous studio or impressive roster of artists—it’s the energy. There’s a pulse here. A sense that creativity is welcome, even if it’s messy or uncertain or brand new.
It’s the kind of place where you walk in for a workshop and walk out with ink on your hands, a print in your bag, and maybe even a new way of seeing the world.
So if you find yourself in Asheville this summer—road-tripping through the mountains, exploring breweries and bookshops—make time for Carolina Lane. Pop into Print House. Chat with the artists. Watch the presses turn. Take a class. Or just stand still and let the space wash over you.
Because whether you’re an artist or just a curious traveler, this place has something to say. And trust us—it’s worth hearing.
Print House is open now in downtown Asheville. Follow along at @printhouseavl and visit printhouseavl.com for class schedules, gallery info, and upcoming events.
