RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Asheville’s River Arts District, a creative hub known across the country, is now heavily damaged from Hurricane Helene.
Artist David Sheldon, who shows his work at the Mark Bettis Gallery, had no power and cell reception in his South Asheville home, so he had no concept of the damage to the River Arts District until reaching the area by bike Saturday.
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“Seeing the level of rise of the French Broad River, it was like it just became a monster,” Sheldon said. “It was still just like a bulldozer going through the entire area. It’s just surreal to sit there, above there, and be completely helpless watching this beautiful area get decimated the way it was.”
While the gallery with his work wasn’t harmed, many artists aren’t as fortunate. The River Arts District said most of the …