Chalkley Matlack at Holiday Market Encore
By Andrew Patterson
When Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, nobody could predict the devastation about to unfold from all the rain. For Chalkley Matlack, who lives in Waynesville, it began with the creek near his house overflowing into the road, then into his yard and finally into his neighborhood. His home narrowly escaped severe damage as the floodwaters stopped just shy of crossing the threshold of his last step, but his workplace, Trackside Studios, wasn’t so lucky.
The River Arts District (RAD), where 80 percent of Asheville’s artists live and work, was completely submerged. For Chalkley, it wasn’t just his artwork that was lost—it was a decade of dedication to his craft and the community that sustained it.
On Saturday, Chalkley headed to Whole Foods, his part time job to help pay the bills, and now a much needed lifeline. He and his team handed out food that would have otherwise gone to waste due to power outages. “For me, stuff is just stuff,” he says, “I saw my art as trinkets and objects, but I thought about all the other artists here whose art is their sole income.”
Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Chalkley’s journey to Asheville ten years ago was driven by a passion to refine his craft as an “illusionist,” as he
Chalkley Matlack, right, with the new owner of his guitar that survived the flood
describes it. His love for art began at age seven, nurtured by his artist mother and teachers who saw his talent and tenacity. When he moved to Asheville during a “gold rush” for artists, he tirelessly knocked on doors, forged connections and eventually secured a spot at Trackside Studios located within the building Aura Arts—thanks, in part, to an evening of wine and conversation with the owners. Over the years, Chalkley not only honed his artistic skills but also became a vital part of the community, serving as vice president and briefly as president of the River Arts District Artists.
But Helene swept it all away. As the water subsided, so too did Chalkley’s desire to continue artistically: a decade of work destroyed in 48 hours. Among the wreckage at his studio, one piece stood out—a muddied guitar that, though partially submerged, had somehow survived the flood.
Despite the devastation, there was hope. Aura Arts’ owner, Sam Hellman, who had completed renovations on the building earlier that year, committed to rebuilding. “It’s phenomenal that he cared enough about the art and the [60+] artists in the studio to restore the space,” Chalkley says. The first spark of magic to help him rekindle his resolve to rise again.
RADFest 1.0 marked another turning point. It wasn’t just an event; it was a lifeline for artists. The streets buzzed six weeks after the storm with makeshift street galleries, and Chalkley decided to join in. “I found anything I could use—college art, old pieces that don’t even represent my current style,” he says. Cleaning up the rescued guitar, he brought it to the festival—where it sold almost immediately.
The outpouring of support from the Asheville community was overwhelming. Sadly, for many attendees, it was their first visit to the RAD, but their presence was a reminder of the importance of showing up—for art, for community and for each other.
Recovery work at Trackside
For Chalkley, RADFest was more than a soft reopening; it was a personal renewal. Admittedly, he’d stagnated in creating new art, but seeing the community’s response reignited his creative juices. Now, he’s inspired to produce new work and further develop his unique style of pyrographic and pen art, particularly his guitar-burning pieces.
Chalkley’s story is a testament to resilience, creativity and the power of community. The storm may have reshaped the rivers and forests, but it also revealed the strength and spirit of Asheville’s artists and residents.
To explore Chalkley’s art or support his journey, visit Instagram (@pyrographic_and_pen) or find him at Trackside Studios on Depot Street.
Let this be a reminder: visit that studio, call that loved one, start that hobby. Because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
Andrew Patterson is an experience curator and published author. His latest book, My Journey Beyond the Summit, is available on Amazon. To share a story, connect or nominate somebody that Andrew should feature, reach out at ap@andrew365.com.
