“I was so completely shocked.”

It’s a phrase heard repeatedly from those who lived through Hurricane Helene nearly a year ago. The storm that swept through Appalachia left more than physical damage. It challenged the very sense of endurance and stability these mountains have always represented.

But from that shock has emerged something profound: a testament to resilience that now fills the walls of Johnson City’s newest gallery space.

“Layered, Woven and Pierced: Appalachian Soul A Year On,” opening Sept. 4 at the Tipton-Ashe Gallery, brings together more than 20 regional artists whose work captures both the devastation and the remarkable recovery that followed Helene's path through our mountains.

Curated by Lyn Govette, the exhibition runs through Oct. 18 and serves as both a memorial and a celebration, honoring those lost while showcasing the unbreakable spirit of Appalachian communities.

The title is revealing.  

“Layered” speaks to the deep resilience found in these communities. “Woven” captures how neighbors, families and strangers came together in the aftermath. “Pierced” acknowledges the storm’s impact while recognizing how it opened new conversations about adaptation and preparedness.

The featured artists include painters Kara Bledsoe, Laura Bowman, and Jonas Gerard; sculptors like Jeremy Miles and Todd Simmons; and photographers including Emily Parris and Natalie Richardson. Poet Felipe Fiuza will offer readings during the exhibition's First Friday receptions, while musician Adam Pope provides original compositions inspired by the recovery effort.

Perhaps most moving is the inclusion of work by South Central School students, who created a collaborative book about Helene’s impact on their Washington County community.

The exhibition goes beyond displaying art.  

A community conversation facilitated by storyteller Sam Smith is scheduled for Sept. 26, featuring Rise Up Erwin’s and ETSU’s own Nathan Farnor and former Johnson City Commissioner Aaron Murphy. These voices will explore not just what happened, but what the region has learned about itself in the year since.

“The aftermath of Hurricane Helene revealed the layers of resilience of Appalachian communities,” organizers note. “Houses, some standing for generations, were damaged, but the spirit of the people proved to be even stronger.”

The following artists are represented in the exhibit: Kara Bledsoe, LauraBowman, Spenser Brenner, Jane Broderick, Lacey Church, Virginia Derryberry,Kimberly English, Felipe Fiuza, Mark Flowers, Jonas Gerard, Mira Gerard, Karena'Kidd' Graves, Andrew Joyner, Haleah Mauk, Jeremy Miles, Melanie Norris, EmilyParris, Kelly Porter, Natalie Richardson, Todd Simmons, Tema Stauffer, RebeccaTolley andPattiy Torno.

This marks ETSU’s first exhibit since moving a range of offices in the restored Ashe Street Courthouse.  

Exhibition Details:

  • Sept. 4 - Oct. 18
  • Tipton-Ashe Gallery, The Courthouse, 401 Ashe St., Johnson City
  • Gallery hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays 5-7 p.m.
  • First Friday receptions: Sept. 5 and Oct. 3
  • Community conversation: Sept. 26, 5-7 p.m.
  • Poetry readings by Felipe Fiuza and bluegrass performance by Mikaela Langley Allison on Oct. 3

Events like these are part of what makes life in the Appalachian region so rich.