ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Eight weeks ago, Helene ripped through western North Carolina leaving some of the worst destruction on riverside properties, like the River Arts District. But that’s not a reason for these local artists to give up.
Three initiatives have been announced, all to help community artists as they work to rebuild their homes in the wake of Helene.
Art media organization ArtsvilleUSA sprang into action just days after Helene hit to help one of Western North Carolina’s hardest-hit industries: Art.
They have announced three initiatives that will focus on supporting creators to regain their footing and tell their stories.
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Their first initiative will be a hotline (833-622-7871) where artisans are encouraged to share their firsthand experiences during this recovery.
ArtsvilleUSA will also produce a podcast called “A Tale of Two Cities Podcast: To Learn from Past Experiences and Foster Collaboration.” It will focus on the resiliency of art communities in Asheville and badly-hit New Orleans as they successfully rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
One initiative that has art built into the foundation is their documentation through visual arts storytelling, led by local photographer Michael Freas.
“I’m not there to exploit you. I’m there to tell your story. Cause I do care. You know, it’s been a rough month or two months, or whatever you wanna call it,” Freas said. “I live in River Arts District, so I’ve seen a lot.”
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“A lot of people have said to me, ‘You’re helping me understand it more’,” he added. “They’re like, ‘Your images aren’t just bland. Here’s a car that’s upside down, and it’s buried under a bunch of trees.’ Instead, it’s showing an artist sifting through all the floodwaters of Marquee and the look on their face when I’m there with them and we find a piece of their artwork that’s completely untouched.”
Freas said that the art community is already so tightly knit and reliant on each other that it is the perfect group to help with rebuilding.
If you would like to participate in these initiatives, find more information at ArtsvilleUSA.com.