Elizabeth Porritt Carrington
I had a beloved studio on the second floor of Riverview Station Studios by the river in the RAD and was represented in the Tyger Tyger gallery on the first floor of Riverview station as well as the Artplay gallery on depot St. All were flooded during Helene. I’ve been displaced and am in a temporary studio in the Phil Mechanic studios in the upper RAD. It’s been a significant loss and a huge experience to navigate as an artist. I’m finding my feet and I know I’ll figure my way through this somehow. I miss my studio, I had a beautiful space, I miss the galleries, and community which was a veritable art village that stretched out through the district, a rare haven of creative art life. The Asheville art community and support in the greater community around us is pulling together in extraordinary ways. We’ve had a lot to contend with and continue to witness the evidence of that on a daily basis. Some artists have had to leave town already, especially those whose homes and studios were impacted. I feel a part of the rebuild and more committed to the community than ever but it feels as if we are on a wild edge.
Heather Clements
Helene was my second major Hurricane, after surviving the category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018 that destroyed my home and over 80% of all the trees in millions of acres. We moved to Asheville to be immersed in nature and art, and away from Hurricanes. (That didn’t work out well.) My home was spared this time, but the gallery and teaching space I was a part of was destroyed, along with roughly 40% of my art, and many supplies and materials. I was fortunate to save a lot of art just before the flood. The River Arts District was 80% destroyed, yet the art community has been inspiring and tenacious in the face of such horrific devastation. My art career has persevered through another major hurricane and a pandemic, so especially with the help of RAD and the amazing Asheville community, I know I can make it through this, too.
The River Arts District was 80% destroyed, yet the art community has been inspiring and tenacious in the face of such horrific devastation.- Heather Clements, RAD artist
