When the Water Rises, Artists Rise Too
Overview
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.
The piece was written in connection with the climate-themed exhibition “A Tale of Two Cities,” presented at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in partnership with ArtsvilleUSA. The exhibition brought together artists from Asheville and New Orleans to explore how communities shaped by water and natural disaster rebuild through culture and creativity.
Key Themes
The essay reflects on several ideas central to the recovery of Asheville’s arts community:
Art as resilience
Artists were among the first to return after Hurricane Helene, rebuilding studios, organizing markets, and reconnecting community networks.
The River Arts District as an economic engine
Before the storm, Asheville’s River Arts District was home to more than 750 working artists and served as one of the most concentrated creative ecosystems in the United States.
Climate and cultural recovery
By connecting Asheville and New Orleans, the exhibition highlights how communities facing climate disasters can learn from one another.
From the Essay
Burroughs describes the devastation and the response that followed Hurricane Helene:
“Helene brought nearly 30 feet of floodwater into parts of the district. Entire studios were submerged. Years of work were washed away. And yet, without pause, something else happened. People showed up.”
Despite the loss, artists across the River Arts District mobilized quickly to support one another.
“Artists checked on one another. Neighbors brought food. Volunteers came from across the country with shovels. We were muddy, tired, grieving, but we were together.”
The essay ultimately argues that the arts are not a luxury in recovery efforts but an essential force in helping communities rebuild.
“Creativity is not a luxury. It is a necessity for survival.”
Looking Forward
Burroughs writes that the future of Asheville’s River Arts District lies not just in rebuilding what was lost, but in strengthening the systems that support artists and the creative economy.
Plans for the district include expanded festivals, markets, artist support programs, and continued advocacy for affordable creative space.
The essay closes with a message that has become central to the district’s recovery:
“When the water rises, artists rise too.”