The River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina, has a long history of floods. A line on an old warehouse marks how high the water was in 1916. Hurricane Helene brought floodwaters even higher last week. This district is now a hub for art and culture, drawing tourists from all over. Many artists worry if they can rebuild or come back after the storm damage. One artist, Max Trumpower, lost his entire portfolio to the river when his apartment building collapsed. Tourism in Asheville brings in billions of dollars each year, with arts playing a big role. But the pandemic hit the arts scene hard. Now, as floodwaters recede, artists like Andrea Kulish Wilhelm are assessing the damage. Some art studios were spared, but many others were destroyed. The future of this vibrant district is uncertain.
