LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Just days ago, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the southeast. The deadliest storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005 has caused the loss of hundreds of lives, and thousands are still without power and water in western North Carolina. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. since Katrina in 2005 

  • A group of artists from North Carolina, whose studio was destroyed by the storm, were at this weekend's St. James Court Art Show

  • They said this weekend was important for their livelihoods as they recover from the storm 

  • They have a GoFundMe to raise money for a new studio and materials

Some Asheville, North Carolina-based artists were in Old Louisville this weekend for the 68th annual St. James Court Art Show, which they said was important for their livelihoods. 

The show drew more than 600 artists, like Maria Andrade Troya.

“I love it; she said. "I'm a maker. I always make things, so I don't think I can stay away either baking or making pots. They're very similar professions." 

She has crafted pottery at CURVE studios & garden in Asheville for the last 17 years, but just last week, her studio was changed forever. It was destroyed by Helene, with floodwaters reaching almost 25 feet high. 

“We tried to get everything out as much as possible," Andrade Toya said. "It's just really hard to evacuate an 1,100-square-foot studio in a day and a half." 

CURVE Studios will not reopen. The space was shared by a few artists, leaving them all without a place for their creativity. 

“Right now, I don't have a place to work," said Alice Scott, jeweler for symbology at CURVE Studios. "Also, it's my community, so I feel like I don't have a home right now because that's where I spent all my time making and running my business and getting my work out to the public." 

Andrade Toya said she spent about six months making pots for the St. James Court Art Show, which she was able to save.

“This show is really important because it may be my last craft show of the year," she said. "I don't know if I’m going to be able to actually produce any more work until January … it takes months to make work."

She is going back to Asheville Monday, Oct. 7, where many residents are still without power and running water. 

“There are multiple organizations in town that are feeding and taking care of animals and all kinds of things," Andrade Toya said. "I look forward to doing a little bit of volunteer work once I get home." 

There is a GoFundMe for all the artists who worked in CURVE Studios. They're hoping to raise $45,000 to find a new studio and replace lost materials. 

The last day of the art show is Sunday, Oct. 6. 

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