Local artists are ready to help their fellow artists in Asheville, N.C. as they work to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Despite the devastating loss of art pieces, materials, supplies, tools, and even their studios, the artists in Asheville are showing remarkable resilience in the face of Hurricane Helene. The natural disaster hit the River Arts District particularly hard, closing studios, galleries, cafes, and shops.

Two weeks ago, the River District had a soft reopening, celebrating perseverance and the community of artists near and far who are contributing to their fellow artists in need.

The Crary Art Gallery will host a pop-up market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to help fellow artists in the Asheville area recover from Hurricane Helene’sHelene’s devastation.

One couple who are both active artisans in the Asheville River Arts District is Emelie Weber Wade and her husband, Bressler. Emilie’s home studio flooded 3-4 feet, costing her nine looms, a heavy-duty sewing machine, many pounds of weaving yarn, and countless other items for her business, some irreplaceable. The couple also lost thousands in tools for Bressler’s carpentry business. The couple’s apartment was destroyed.

The Crary Art Gallery has previously held holiday pop-up markets, but it has been some time.

“We are excited to bring back the Pop-up Market and make it even more meaningful by attaching a benefit to it,” said Adrienne Grimes, an event organizer and Crary board member.

Local artisans will donate a portion or all of their proceeds to artists affected by Helene. Food trucks will be on-site, and there will be a silent auction for beautifully decorated tabletop Christmas trees.

“Even if you don’t buy anything, there will be beautiful things to look at, cozy food, and great architecture,” said board member Kristine Peterson​.

More than 300 artists are in the River Arts District, and proceeds will be donated directly to the affected artists. Visit the Crary’sCrary’s website at ww.craryartgallery.org.