The Swannanoa Artists’ Collective announces an exhibit of art about the impact of the hurricane on their community. It can be seen September 26 through 28 at the Church at 216 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa.
It’s been a year since hurricane Helene gnawed up through the heartland of the South and put on a surprise demolition derby in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. That’s when Swannanoa, North Carolina, an unincorporated village tucked in between Asheville and Black Mountain, earned a much unwanted and outsized presence in the national, state and regional news cycles.
While the artists and galleries of Asheville’s River Arts District have received the lion’s share of attention, the hurricane and accompanying flood did some of their most severe damage in the county’s smaller population centers, like Swannanoa, Marshall, and Chimney Rock. When a core group of artists in Swannanoa began looking, they found many of their fellows, solitary folk to begin with, now suffering loss of homes, studios, work, and materials.
The Swannanoa Artists’ Collective was formed to help these severely impacted artists get back to the thing that brought them solace: making art. As immediate needs were met, the group were driven to use their talents to help their community grieve and come to grips with what had happened.
On the anniversary weekend of the hurricane, the Swannanoa Artists’ Collective will present an exhibit of new work by 15 very local artists at the Church community center in downtown Swannanoa. The show will include photography, painting, sculpture, fiber art, and video.
Rebecca Williams, one of the founders of the group, said, “One of the tried and true ways to strengthen a community is thru its artists. The Swannanoa Artists’ Collective has begun building that cohesion and strength. What a joy it is to meet the other artists in our valley. ”
The show is funded by A.D. Anderson, Asheville Creative Arts, The Beacon Foundation, David & Jen Bilstrom, Buncombe County Dept of Communications & Public Engagement, FCC Environmental, Carol Groben & Doug Lebbon, Quility, NC Arts Council, NC Humanities.
Swannanoa Artists
Image: Swannanoa Artits Collection