As Asheville continues recovering from Hurricane Helene, artists and small businesses across the city have worked together to rebuild the creative community.

In this op-ed published by ArtsvilleUSA, Jeffrey Burroughs reflects on the recovery of Asheville’s River Arts District following Hurricane Helene and the role artists play in rebuilding communities after disaster.

Hurricane Helene caused historic flooding across Asheville, destroying much of the River Arts District and damaging dozens of studios.

As Burroughs reflected in the article: “The River Arts District is more than a place. It is a living, breathing testament to the power of creativity and community. In the face of disaster, our artists didn’t just rebuild. They reimagined what’s possible.”

Four months after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding across western North Carolina, communities throughout the region continue to face a slow and difficult recovery.

The River Arts District of Asheville, long considered one of the city’s defining cultural hubs, suffered catastrophic damage during Hurricane Helene. More than 300 artists had been working across studios in converted industrial buildings along the French Broad River.