Melanie and daniel in front of their new home, the Stepp-Walker Building in East Flat Rock

When Melanie and Daniel Hopkins opened Studio 116 on April 4, 2025, they weren’t simply launching an art gallery. The enterprising couple who arrived in East Flat Rock from California six years ago were continuing the long, evolving story of a historic East Flat Rock building.

Housed in the iconic Stepp-Walker building, a structure with more than a century of changing identities, Studio 116 represents both preservation and reinvention. After extensive renovations, the Hopkins transformed part of the lower level of the 10,000-square-foot building into a working gallery space that now hums with creativity, conversation, and community connection.

One year after opening Studio 116, Melanie and Daniel’s vision has taken root in ways even they didn’t fully anticipate.

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From the beginning, Studio 116 was conceived as more than a traditional gallery. Melanie Hopkins, who came to fine art after a career in graphic design and broadcasting, wanted to create a space where art felt accessible. A gallery where people didn’t need credentials or confidence to walk through the door. “I don’t want people to feel like they have to know something about art to appreciate it,” she said. “There’s no right or wrong answer with art.”

Hopkins has also intentionally built the gallery around a commitment to exploration. “I’m interested in creating a space where artists can explore, experiment and even fail a little, because that’s often where the most exciting work emerges.”

That core philosophy has shaped everything from exhibitions to programming. Studio 116 has welcomed both established artists and first-time exhibitors, creating a deliberately inclusive environment. Their popular Coaster Art Show, for example, featured some of the region’s most established artists, some of whom had never shown work publicly before.

A First Year Fueled by Community

If there is a single theme that defines Studio 116’s first year, it is community. The gallery has encouraged participation, inviting visitors to contribute to shared creative projects – occasionally blurring the line between artist and audience. “Our programming has included events where visitors can engage with the show,” Melanie explains. “From exhibiting a shared personal story, to weaving part of a community tapestry, to contributing to a beautiful community poem.”

Studio 116 launched in April 2025 with Skybreak, an exhibition by Hendersonville-based artist Beth Beasley. “Studio 116 is a breath of fresh air,” Beasley observed. “Melanie is perhaps more willing to take risks with artists who might not fit with other spaces. She is so open to ideas and creative ventures.”

As they look back on the success of their first year, Melanie and Daniel are quick to acknowledge the contributions and advice of local artists who have helped them get Studio 116 from a dream to reality. “Success takes a village,” Melanie explains. “This is not our product alone.” She credits a network of fellow artists, advisors, and supporters who helped bring the gallery to life - from those who assisted in hanging early shows to others who provided equipment, guidance, and encouragement.

Support for Studio116 has extended beyond the art world. The East Flat Rock community has embraced the gallery in deeply personal ways. “Our neighbors feel comfortable here,” Melanie said. “That alone makes me so happy.” Attendance has steadily grown, with each opening drawing larger crowds. Daniel Hopkins points to the gallery’s ever-changing nature as part of the appeal. “Every show looks different,” he said. “Visitors are not going to see the same rotation of artists… it’s something new every month.”

The Power of Place

The building itself has played a central role in the gallery’s success. Long before visitors encounter the artwork, they are drawn in by the history embedded in the structure. “We did get a lot of people interested in the story of the building,” Melanie noted. “The building really is so much of what Studio 116 is all about.” For Daniel, the project carries a deeper sense of stewardship. “Continuing the legacy of the building is important to us. We are giving it a new life that it hasn’t had in many, many years,” he said.

Over the course of its first year, Studio 116 has grown in both reputation and capability. Behind the scenes, Daniel has continually refined the physical space, installing new lighting, reworking flooring, and expanding display capacity. Each exhibition brings a fresh configuration, with the gallery effectively rebuilt to suit the work on view.

Meanwhile, the programming has become increasingly ambitious. Studio 116 has embraced exhibitions that challenge viewers both visually and emotionally, from bold thematic shows to more experimental, thought-provoking work. “We are okay to see things that challenge us,” Melanie said. “The community is ready to be challenged… in a safe space.”

One of the most significant developments during Studio 116’s first year has been the launch of Butcher Shop Press, a printmaking studio within the space. Officially introduced in early 2026, it has already hosted workshops and events, with plans to bring in visiting artists and expand hands-on opportunities for the public.

Looking Ahead

DAniel and Melanie Hopkins in Studio 116

As Studio 116 enters its second year, Melanie and Daniel are focused on deepening both artistic and community engagement. Upcoming exhibitions continue to reflect that mission. One highly anticipated show, Beloved Community: Portraits of Honor, will explore themes of recognition, dignity, and representation through deeply personal portraiture.

At its core, the vision for Studio 116 remains unchanged: to create a space where creativity is shared, not gatekept, and where people feel welcome to explore, question, and connect. “We are so grateful for everyone who’s come through the door,” Melanie said. “Everyone who walks in gives me the energy to keep going.”

Indeed, in just one year, Studio 116 has become more than a gallery. It is a gathering place, a creative laboratory, and a testament to what can happen when art, history, and community meet in the same room.

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Also about Studio 116

Studio 116 Breathes New Creative Life into East Flat Rock’s Stepp-Walker Building, The Laurel of Asheville, by Lauren Stepp.

New Life for an Old Building, Flat Rock Together

New Life for an Old Building - Part 2, Flat Rock Together