Home 9 Shopping in Highlands NC and Cashiers NC 9 Drop‑Dead Gorgeous Finds

Drop‑Dead Gorgeous Finds

At Dead Artists Gallery, vintage originals and playful spirit make art collecting feel personal and fun.

Written by: Donna Rhodes

Issue: March 2026

Photographed By: Susan Refro

Jason and Holly Watson

If you’ve not visited the Dead Artists Gallery, 151 Main Street in Highlands, it’s time to give yourself a treat.

There, you’ll find over 1100 singular pieces from the past, waiting just for you.

Maybe one of those works fills that special place over your mantle. You’ll find a painting as warm as fireplace embers and the hearts of your favorite friends. In your foyer, an exceptional still life could widen a smile on every face that enters your home. Voila! luscious landscapes or intriguing portraits are waiting to launch a conversation at your dining gatherings.

At Dead Artists Gallery you’ll be dead-icated in no time with all these dead artist painting possibilities. But, wait – do I keep saying dead? Yep, just like Leonardo, Monet, and Dali, only these dead artists and their drop-dead gorgeous works are delightfully affordable.

Owners Holly and Jason Watson, love to spread dead-ucation about their world-wide artist collection.

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Holly says, “If you find a piece of art you fall in love with, take it with you wherever you live. Then you’ll have something from Highlands that will be a forever reminiscence.”

What’s exceptionally cool about the look of these pieces is that they tell stories, exude a feeling, blend timely places, colors, and essences. In other words, the trend of today is warm, inviting spaces accompanied by a sense of uniqueness and comfort. That is the perfect quintessence of Dead Artists Gallery styles. And there’s not a single ghost in the lot – so far. (Remains to be seen.)

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Holly shares some of her favorite things about her gallery. For example, most frames are originals. Every piece is a single work. No reproductions. Vintage pieces fit nicely with new furnishings. There is such a variety of styles, they truly have something for everyone.

New this year, Holly and Jason are adding more art related gifts and supplies – watercolor painting kits, acrylic paints, canvases, inviting surfaces, and easels. They plan to host art classes for children and adults who are inspired by the gallery’s collection.

highlands-nc-shopping-art-dead-artist-gallery-managerExplore the Watson’s line of gifts for painters of all levels of expertise. Then double your fun: take home a vintage painting and/or buy supplies and create your own.

Simply visit, e-mail, or call to liven up your décor spring zing – Dead Artists Gallery; deadartistsgalleryllc@gmail.com; phone; (828) 482-3088.

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