Asheville Struggles to Recover from Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, artists and communities in Asheville are grappling with significant losses yet finding resilience. Melissa Kucin, an artist from Trackside Studios, salvaged only one of her paintings, 'Time Immemorial,' while others were damaged beyond repair; she is now reimagining her lost works into new forms, like a dress inspired by her painting 'The Colors of Love.' Meanwhile, Julie and Phil Wilmot, owners of the Art on 7th gallery, have decided to delay their reopening to January 2024 and focus on representing local artists affected by the storm. BeLoved Asheville is coordinating supplies for around 15,000 people daily, with volunteers pouring in to assist those in need. The community is relying on each other for support, reflecting a spirit of hope despite the devastation. Local elections are also approaching, with candidates emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and transparency in city governance.