Artist In Residence

Gately Williams

Gately Williams first discovered his love for landscapes while exploring them by motorbike. Because of that early connection, his photography captures the relationship between place and movement with striking clarity. His work reflects not only the beauty of the land itself, but also the quiet presence of those who inhabit it.

Based in Charleston, Gately specializes in landscape, editorial, and adventure photography. Over time, his work has taken him across the globe, from Iceland and Ireland to Morocco and Australia. In every location, he seeks moments that feel authentic, unplanned, and deeply rooted in place.

As the featured artist for The Restoration’s Residency Photography Program, Gately’s photographs appear throughout both hotel locations. Each piece serves as a visual exploration of the city it represents, highlighting local culture, traditions, and untold stories.

artist in residence at The Restoration Hotel
I was driving east out of Asheville, always choosing the backroads. This pretty white horse was as still as a statue, half home, half looking out. I made a u-turn, and then another, and pulled into the ditch to take this photo. As I shot, she slowly approached the fence in a gentle way. 

Seeing Asheville Beyond the Surface

Many visitors come to Asheville for its obvious beauty. At first glance, the city presents itself as bohemian and creative, framed by rugged mountain peaks. However, through backroads, wrong turns, and quiet encounters, Gately uncovers another side of the region.

While driving east out of Asheville, he deliberately chose the backroads. Along the way, a white horse stood motionless, half sheltered, half watching the world beyond the fence. Gately turned around. Then he turned again. Finally, he pulled into a ditch to make the photograph. As he worked, the horse slowly approached the fence, calm and unhurried, allowing the moment to unfold naturally.

artist in residence at The Restoration Hotel
Years ago, I passed by this beautiful property on a motorcycle ride. I’ve always regretted not stopping to have a look around. While shooting for The Restoration I made a point to find this farm. This is Blue Ridge Daylilies farm. It can be found by heading northwest from the Arts District and turning north up Lower Flat Creek Road.

Returning to Missed Moments

Years earlier, Gately passed a beautiful property during a motorcycle ride and never stopped. The memory stayed with him. Later, while shooting for The Restoration, he made a point to find it again.

That place turned out to be Blue Ridge Daylilies Farm, located northwest of Asheville’s Arts District, just off Lower Flat Creek Road. This return transformed a lingering regret into a quiet resolution, captured through the lens with patience and intention.

artist in residence at The Restoration Hotel
This moment will always be a beautiful mystery to me. I was riding along somewhere on a northern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and made a series of turns, trying to go in the direction of Asheville. A truck and a tree. I pulled over and shot this. 

Finding Meaning in the In-Between

Some moments resist explanation. While riding along a northern stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Gately found himself navigating unfamiliar turns while trying to head back toward Asheville. Along the way, a truck and a tree caught his attention. He pulled over and photographed the scene, preserving a moment that remains, to this day, a beautiful mystery.

During his time in Asheville, exploration often meant slowing down. Gately walked for miles, looking left, right, and up, allowing the environment to guide him. On another trip, he rode 22 miles into the Blue Ridge Mountains, eventually reaching Craggy Gardens late in the afternoon. Fog rolled in as he parked at the visitor center and followed the trail into the mist, letting atmosphere and silence shape the experience.

artist in residence at The Restoration Hotel
As part of my exploring Asheville, I walked many miles simply looking left, right, and up.
artist in residence at The Restoration Hotel
On one of my trips to Asheville, I rode 22 miles up the Blue Ridge into a late afternoon fog. I parked at the Craggy Gardens Visitors center and followed the trail into the mist. 

The Artist in Residence Program at The Restoration

The Artist in Residence Program at The Restoration invites artists from around the world to live and work outside their natural environment. Through this program, artists draw inspiration from the communities we serve and create meaningful, site-specific work.

Their pieces appear throughout the property, allowing guests to encounter art organically during their stay. In addition, select works are available for purchase at The Mercantile Boutique and Gallery, offering guests a lasting connection to the experience.

Photographs by Gately Williams are displayed throughout guest rooms, corridors, and meeting spaces at The Restoration Hotel. On select occasions, limited-edition prints are also available for purchase at The Mercantile.