Photographer Michael Freas: Resilience in Asheville After Hurricane Helene [Podcast]

When natural disasters strike, they don’t just destroy homes; they can devastate entire communities, livelihoods, and creative legacies. In this special edition of Art World Horror Stories, Asheville-based photographer Michael Freas shares the harrowing tale of Hurricane Helene’s destruction, which left hundreds of local artists without studios or income.

Having survived multiple hurricanes, Michael offers a unique perspective on the resilience required to rebuild after such catastrophes. Michael is also a freelance photographer at ArtsvilleUSA, an Asheville-based arts media and mentorship program covering the storm’s aftermath. Read their report on the impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville’s River Arts District, a low-lying creative hub lining the banks of the French Broad River.

This episode explores the billion-dollar impact on Asheville’s arts economy and the challenges of securing relief, revealing the hidden toll of climate change on the creative sector. You’ll gain insight into the mental health struggles of those affected and the critical roles of self-sufficiency and community support.

Additionally, you’ll learn how to help artists recover through initiatives like Love Asheville From Afar, which allows you to support the local creative economy even if you can’t visit in person. Our interview with Michael Freas is essential listening for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of creativity, community, and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Key Points From This Episode:

The scope of Hurricane Helene and its impact on Asheville’s creative community
The misconceptions about climate change and Asheville’s vulnerability to it
How the topography exacerbated flooding, complicating rescue and recovery efforts
The catastrophic damage to Asheville’s infrastructure caused by raging floodwaters
Why AM/FM radio is such a vital resource during natural disasters like this
Michael’s take on the precedent this disaster will set for recovery efforts in the future
Ways that rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location of Asheville
The difficulties local artists face in receiving federal aid and disaster relief
Why it will take months or years for many artists to return to a state of normalcy
Logistical challenges caused by misinformation and politicization
The importance of self-sufficiency and preparedness to help navigate disaster
How you can support Asheville artists from a distance by purchasing their work online

Quotes:

“The mental health aspect is going to be massive from [Hurricane Helene] because people who have never been through [a hurricane] and seen the carnage that [comes from it] – haven’t seen how the rebuilding [and] recovery happens.” — @FotoByFreas [0:14:37]

“There are a lot of conspiracies going around about things and how they happen, which is not making it easy for people doing recovery. I think this is going to set a precedent for how disasters are handled moving forward.” — @FotoByFreas [0:35:31]

“There's a huge sense of panic because everybody lost the season that they pay their bills with. We're a tourist-centric area that just had its busiest tourism season taken away.” — @FotoByFreas [0:45:33]

“The River Arts District is home to more than 300 studios and galleries. [That includes] anybody that has a booth. Roughly 80 to 90 percent have been impacted.” — @FotoByFreas [0:52:08]

“You will learn a lot about people because one of the biggest things you can do in these disasters that can be more helpful than anything is just to listen to other people.” — @FotoByFreas [1:07:17]

Longer Quotes:

“[The creative economy in Asheville, Buncombe County,] spans across eight sectors, accounts for $1 billion in annual sales, and supports nearly 8,500 jobs. The creative economy – has been alive and real in Western North Carolina for decades. This is huge for them in terms of their tourism, revenue, and what this area is famous for.” — Scott “Sourdough” Power [0:06:24]

“You can go and find artists who were impacted and support them by buying a print or a mug. Somebody that is a potter, you buy some of their pottery – People want to know how they can help right now. We're in between phase one and phase two of recovery. Phase one is what we're seeing right now, where all the warehouses are so full they’re actually turning donations away because people flood donations. I think it's really important to visit artists’ websites. I think it's important to visit photographers’ websites. Photographers like myself, I travel. I'm not just stuck [in Asheville]. I'll get in a car, I'll get on a plane. I do it all the time. That's something that helps.” — Michael Freas [1:12:32]