An artist’s life is a creative and rewarding journey that involves hard work, dedication and passion. Sometimes, it also means overcoming unimaginable hardships, such as those experienced in September 2024 by Western North Carolina artists impacted by Hurricane Helene.
More than a dozen impacted artists with 310 ART and Friends in Asheville, North Carolina, will present “Come Hell AND High Water: Surviving the 2024 Flood with Resilience and Purpose,” Feb. 4 through March 29 in Gallery II and Gallery III of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.
Artist receptions will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, and Thursday, March 20, as part of Spartanburg ArtWalk. The receptions and exhibition viewing are free and open to the public. The art in the show will be offered for purchase with prices ranging from $45 to $3,000.
“We hope to convey to everyone that artists will persevere through hardship and loss,” says Fleta Monaghan, founder of 301 ART and Friends and one of the 14 exhibitors. “The artists of 310 ART and Friends in this exhibit lost a vast amount of work in the flood of 2024 caused by Hurricane Helene. Our studios, art and art materials were lost over night. We have come together in this first group show of 2025 to proclaim our resilience and perseverance as we continue to create, teach and spread the joy of creativity.”
The group was invited by the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.
“We answered a call for this show shortly after the flood,” continues Monaghan. “The artists of 310 ART gallery were determined to not give up, and we appreciate this first group exhibit of 2025 for us and some of our neighbors at Riverview Station.”
She says the group hopes to convey that artists will persevere through hardship and loss. “We will persist regardless of difficulties or obstacles. We have all been through hell both personally and professionally, and the title of the show reflects both hardship and the high waters that hit us so hard and of unexpected wrath Sept. 27, 2024. We will continue to teach, make art and show our art even in difficult times.”
The artists represent their community as well as their friendships, she adds. “Both our close friendships, our beloved community of artists and a generous invitation from the Spartanburg Art Collective inspired us to come together and show work.”
On exhibit will be a variety of original art in different media, sizes and styles. “All work will be professionally presented and ready to hang, and we will also offer some lower-cost unframed originals and reproductions,” Monaghan says. “We all hope the art will show that creativity lives and flourishes through all difficult times. We are delighted and honored to be exhibiting together, and we thank the Artists Collective | Spartanburg for this opportunity.”
The artists exhibiting include:
Sally Auman (encaustic and photography)
Lorelle Bacon (oils and acrylics)
Bridget Benton (encaustic mixed media wall and sculpture for pedestals)
Diana Christopherson (Sumi-e painting)
Heather Clements (watercolor and graphite)
Robyn Crawford (resin and gems, acrylic pour paintings)
Elizabeth Henderson (watercolor)Miriam Hughes (watercolor)
Dana Irwin (watercolor and acrylic)
Erin Kellem (collage resin work)
Fleta Monaghan (acrylics)
Mary Alice Ramsey (mixed media)
Erica Schaffel (watercolor)
Susan Sinyai (oils)
For more about 310 ART, go to www.310ART.com.