For artist Hannah Rothstein, creating is about more than beauty. It’s about waking people up.
Rothstein, whose work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME, The Guardian and Vogue Italia, has redefined Millennial art by blending irony-clad humor with urgent social commentary. From playful pieces like "Dr. Dreidel" and "Yoga for Bros" to her viral climate series "National Parks 2050," Rothstein’s portfolio spans styles, sentiments and mediums—all with a common thread: making people think.
“My niche is climate art inspired by vintage aesthetics,” she explains. “But the work I have on display at AVL is a study in simplicity and unbroken form, with a hint of outer-space inspiration. I started that series to process grief. Painting whole, smooth forms felt peaceful in a year with many sharp edges.”
Rothstein’s journey to Asheville began with her heart. “I moved my things here about a year and a half ago, but my heart moved here a year before that,” she says. “The area wanted me to be here.”
Since joining the River Arts District (RAD), Rothstein has found both inspiration and community. “Living somewhere with such a strong arts community gives me focus and fuel,” she says. “I also find motivation and inspiration in the soft beauty of Western North Carolina’s naturescapes. I love their colors, their strange shapes and their variety, and want to do my part to celebrate and protect them.”
That mission grew deeper after Hurricane Helene. Rothstein lost her studio and was trapped in her neighborhood for days by downed trees. She wrote about her harrowing experience for The New Republic.
But even in the chaos, she found resilience. That resilience is on display as part of the exhibit at Asheville Regional Airport in partnership with RAD. Her piece, "After the Flood in Black and White," has a unique Helene story.
“I found this piece in the ruins of my studio, waterlogged in its plastic sleeve,” she recalls. “I dried it in the sun and framed it in plexiglass painted with mud-colored acrylic to reflect the floodwaters it survived.”
Helene strengthened her resolve. “We need climate awareness and action now, more than ever.”
What advice would she give to artist facing similar challenges due to climate change? “Don’t be afraid to lean on each other. The best way through hardship is together.”
When asked what’s next, Rothstein smiles. “I’m hoping to go on a bike-tour-meets-family-and-friends-visit in Europe this fall,” she says. “I’d fly into Paris and hop a train from there.”
You can view Rothstein's piece "After the Flood in Black and White" in the exhibit "Mountain Memories" at Asheville Regional Airport, on display through October 30, 2025. The exhibit is displayed in the Asheville Regional Airport Art Gallery located in the new North Concourse, post security – please note only ticketed passengers can view this area.
