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Welcome to Wamboldtopia!

Garden sanctuary, outdoor art gallery, creative space, living canvas... Wamboldtopia is a tiny piece of heaven perched on a quiet, wooded hillside in the heart of one of West Asheville's inspired neighborhoods. Whether inside the walls of the studio workshop or the pathways of the gardens, Wamboldtopia is a magical incubator for creative experiments and passions! It’s a place to practice the habit of leaping into new directions and risking new adventures...a place where the perfect imperfection of life is allowed to evolve and flourish in all its mystery.

Wise outdoor guardians, handsome doorway greeters, or simple nature spirits, extraordinary characters are abound throughout the garden, mysterious gargoyles and smiling skeletons grace the architecture of the unpretentious structures. TouchStones containing crystals, broken tombstones from Riverside Cemetery, salvaged fire hydrants and recycled metal sculptures, gnome homes and magical portals all are a demonstration of Damaris and Ricki Pierce's joyful expression of creativity and love for life.

 

Damaris, a lifelong artist, works in many media... 2D, 3D, expressive, writings, living canvas and more. Ricki's lifelong journey of self expression led him to the mediums of stone, structures and gardens, althewhile decorating his life with skulls and other fine creations.
While each of the couple's creations branch out in countless and unique ways, many of the masonry tapestries were created as a collaboration between Damaris and Ricki Pierce. Inspired by Ricki's experience and passion for stone work, Damaris became interested in sculpting with cement and has created countless details and sculptural elements for buildings and garden. Together they live out their passion for creative expression and continue to surprise themselves and each other with what shows up!
Besides creating a variety of artworks, Damaris mentors individuals in their creative pursuits and occasionally teaches to groups right here at Wamboldtopia. Ricki Pierce, a.k.a. The Rock Pirate, is a happy stone mason who digs unusual rock work and technical challenges.
The garden begarn to evolve in 1999 after Damaris purchased the house with a bare backyard. Starting with a geometric herb garden, she was determined to transform the grassy and weedy hill into something beautiful and alive. When Ricki came into her life three years later, they knew they had found their path! The rest is history (and her story...) and is still evolving - wildly! Damaris' and Ricki's love for each other and their boundless self expression are woven into every corner of Wamboldtopia.