Arts Communities

ArtsvilleUSA Launches New Initiatives to Support Helene-Impacted Artists

Photo by Michael Freas Photography

ArtsvilleUSA has unveiled three key initiatives aimed at supporting artists across Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene: a new photography exhibition featuring the work of Asheville-based photojournalist Michael Freas, the Helene Stories Hotline and A Tale of Two Cities podcast.

“Since we do arts marketing and media, we felt that our role could be to keep this story alive and that’s how we came to these initiatives,” says Louise Glickman, founder of ArtsvilleUSA. “People aren’t paying a lot of attention to the arts, which is approximately 30 percent of our economy in this area. If we can’t continue to be a hub of cultural tourism that’s known for our arts scene, that has broad and very long-term implications for what Asheville and Western North Carolina become.”

While many arts organizations are county-specific, ArtsvilleUSA covers 23 counties across the Western North Carolina region and is committed to supporting artists across this geographical area. “Our unique niche includes providing stories and commission-free sales from WNC artists to our global subscriber base,” says Glickman. “Keeping Asheville in the media spotlight expands exposure for our makers and longer-term fundraising potential for arts recovery.”

ArtsvilleUSA sponsored the 12-photo series by Freas that is on display at the Candler YMCA. Freas’ powerful images offer a visual storytelling of the hurricane’s impact on local artists and their communities. “The photos in this exhibit are not merely images; they are tales of courage, nature’s fury and hope,” says Freas. “Each shot is a testament to our community’s spirit and the sheer power of nature.”

Wendy Newman, artist. Marquee photo by Michael Freas Photography

The Helene Stories Hotline is a toll-free platform (833.622.7871) where artists and community members can share their firsthand accounts of loss, resilience and recovery to be documented across digital and print media. “We want our artists’ voices to be heard—not just their pain, but their hope and vision for the future,” says Glickman.

The new podcast series, A Tale of Two Cities, seeks to share lessons from New Orleans’ successful post-hurricane recovery. Featuring conversations with cultural leaders like Michael Manes of Asheville’s Blue Spiral 1 Gallery and Arthur Roger of New Orleans’ Arthur Roger Gallery, the series aims to create a roadmap for recovery by fostering mentorship and collaboration among artists, organizations and local businesses. Episodes are released on the third week of every month wherever you get your podcasts. The January installment of the podcast will feature insights from Angie Chandler of Blue Ridge Natural Heritage Area discussing how Helene will impact the cultural recovery and preservation of Western North Carolina.

ArtsvilleUSA remains dedicated to using media to maintain a global spotlight on Western North Carolina’s creative recovery. “This recovery process is going to take a long time,” says Glickman. “Let’s have a focus on not only what we are but also what we can become to improve our economy and keep our artists here.”

To continue these efforts, ArtsvilleUSA is looking to raise $135,000 to expand their team. For more information about these initiatives or to contribute, visit ArtsvilleUSA.com.

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