It’s been four weeks since Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, which I've called home for the past eight years.
I’m still processing the destruction caused by this natural disaster. Many of the communities surrounding me are still in desperate need of support, and it will take a very long time to recover. The lives lost, the homes and studios destroyed, and the small businesses that won't be able to come back—Asheville may never look quite the same again.
While heartbroken by so much that has happened, I am also so inspired by the strength of my local community and how everyone has come together to help each other.
If you're looking to help, two organizations I recommend are Beloved, a mutual aid collective, and Cerf+, which provides emergency relief to craft artists. I'll be distributing 100% of the proceeds from new Stay Gold Collective sign-ups between the two for the next month.
I also want to encourage you to check out this database of artists affected that was put together by Treats Studios—please support them if you can. I’ll have more opportunities to raise money for Asheville in the coming months.
And if you’re an artist in WNC, please message me. I’d love to give you access to the platform for free to help support your business during this challenging time.
Thank you for your support,
Liz
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