Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), in partnership with the River Arts District (RAD), proudly announces the opening of Mountain Memories. This powerful public art exhibition reflects on the impact of Hurricane Helene and the resilience and creative recovery that followed.
In 2024, Helene swept through Western North Carolina with devastating force. For artists in Asheville’s River Arts District, the storm took more than homes and power. It destroyed studios, tools, and years of work. In the aftermath, these artists found ways to begin again, salvaging what they could or creating entirely new work from what remained.
The exhibition features a range of mediums that include oil, cold wax, graphite, charcoal, photography, mixed media sculpture, and textile installation. Several works are mounted on debris pulled from floodwaters such as weathered wood, siding, and steel, now transformed into symbols of survival. Each piece is accompanied by a personal story that captures the days of darkness, stillness, and reflection following the storm.
Artist Chrys Corn Goodman, painted by candlelight during the height of Helene, creating the fierce image of a woman she named Helene. The work is mounted on muddied siding recovered from a riverbank, transforming loss into collaboration.
Davis Perrott’s The Path That Burned First, an acrylic and oil sculpture on walnut wood. This piece symbolizes the moment a path was closed off, a reference to the limited and isolating access that many residents experienced after the storm.
The Night Before the Mountains Went Dark by Grayson Manning features a blue bear with a halo and wings holding a golden trout. “I remember the night of the storm like it was yesterday, so loud, so terrifying,” said Manning. “For me, this piece was a cathartic release of pent-up grief. I lost my livelihood, and yet I was still so lucky compared to my friends and fellow North Carolinians who lost so much more.”
After Helene passed, Asheville Regional Airport became a critical hub for recovery, receiving thousands of flights carrying aid to those affected. Even as relief efforts continued, construction on the Airport’s new terminal moved forward, and this included the art gallery spaces that display the Mountain Memories exhibit.
“We were managing Helene recovery while watching the future of AVL take shape,” said Alexandra Ingle, Marking & PR Manager at AVL and Curator of Mountain Memories. “This exhibition honors a challenging chapter in our region’s history while celebrating the local artists who make Western North Carolina special through their creative force. The new concourse stands as a symbol of our resilience and optimism and I’m proud to partner with RAD to share the strength and stories of our artistic community with hundreds of thousands of travelers in this way.”
The River Arts District echoes that message of hope and perseverance.
“If I had one message for the passengers who see Mountain Memories, it’s that the River Arts District is open for business,” said RAD spokesperson, Kim Self Hundertmark. “Our artists are creating powerful work, sharing their stories, and continuing to build community. We hope visitors will come see us and connect more deeply with what makes Asheville special.”
The exhibition features work by:
Chrys Corn Goodman, Davis Perrott, Beth Elliott, Grayson L Manning, Hannah Rothstein, Nabil El Jaouhari, Peter Roux, Rachel Stark, Sandra Bottinelli, Tia Sculpt, and Tim Reaves Photography
Exhibit Details
Title: Mountain Memories
Location: Asheville Regional Airport Art Gallery located in the new North Concourse, post security – please note only ticketed passengers can view this area
Dates: June 25 – October 30
Presented by: Asheville Regional Airport in partnership with the River Arts District
