Our Story
‘Embracing a model of diversity in the most authentic was possible through music, art, community and food. ‘ mission is to create a creative arts hub in Asheville where performing artists connect and practice their art in a shared space to enrich and grow the Asheville music industry, while reconnecting all of its communities to a proud and important history of early Black Asheville, for future generations to come.
SoundSpace@Rabbit’s is created, owned and operated by two life-long musicians who share a passion towards serving the arts community, and a dedication to honoring a proud and forgotten history of the city of Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville-area resident Claude Coleman, Jr. is a veteran multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, recording and performing musician, carpenter/builder, graphic designer, ex-music school director/teacher and 30-year drummer for the group Ween. He has dedicated a life to artistic expression, community activism and engagement. Fellow Asheville resident Brett Spivey is a multi-instrumentalist, performing/recording artist, producer, videographer, and studio owner, and HVAC specialist engineer.
Their vision to create SoundSpace@Rabbit’s came from an urgent need in the local music community to have affordable practice spaces, and also to help address a crisis in the community of a lack of available rehearsal spaces for musicians, while catering to the greater music and touring industry coming through the city.
Upon chance they came across the historic segregation-era owned motel and restaurant Rabbit’s Motel, and their mission become multi-dimensional. They found a historic place and saw an opportunity to address a realm of issues.
In creating this cultural landmark and music-community resource they are preserving the proud and rich history of the Southside Black community and early African-American Asheville. SoundSpace@Rabbit’s promotes historic pride while embracing a model of diversity in the most authentic way possible, through music, art, community, and food.
Our Development Partners
