Western North Carolina Artists Announce: “Come Hell or High Water” Studio Tour to Help Rebuild Hurricane-Damaged Art Community
Calling All WNC Artists!
Artists interested in participating can register by December 10. The $25 registration fee supports advertising, with financial assistance available. To register, visit Artist Registration: Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour. Artists are encouraged to share their stories and work, backed by a regional network that values their contributions.
If your studio is in any of the following counties in WNC: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey
How to Support the Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour
The community is invited to get involved by visiting artist studios on December 14-15, shopping online anytime, or sponsoring artist registrations. Art enthusiasts can visit Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour’s website and follow #WNCStudioTour to stay updated and support artists’ journeys to recovery.
Press Realease
ASHEVILLE, NC (November 13, 2024) — In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Western North Carolina’s art community, a new initiative is bringing hope and holiday spirit to artists and art lovers alike. The “Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour,” a volunteer-led tour and marketplace, will take place on December 14-15, 2024, providing WNC artists affected by Hurricane Helene with a crucial opportunity to sell their artwork and rebuild. Online listings for participating artists are available now and will extend beyond the in-person event.
“This tour is about resilience and support,” says organizer Kelsey Schissel, owner of Plays in Mud Pottery in West Asheville. “Through Come Hell or High Water, artists who’ve faced significant loss are empowered to connect with buyers and the community — to rebuild their livelihoods and share their creativity.”
The event will combine in-person studio visits on December 14-15 and an online marketplace, where artists’ listings are live and will remain active beyond the tour weekend. Artists can participate by welcoming guests to their studios, showcasing their work online, or both, keeping 100% of their profits. Additionally, each artist will receive marketing support through a community-wide promotional campaign, including artist profiles and an interactive online tour map.