Harper’s Canvas: Painted by Storms, Framed by Resilience

Harper Leich spent two decades in Asheville, North Carolina, building her life around her passion for painting. Asheville, known for its thriving arts scene, draws creatives from across the country to its River Arts District, a vibrant neighborhood along the French Broad River known for converted warehouses and industrial buildings now housing artists’ studios, galleries, and creative spaces.

But in November 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville and the River Arts District, dramatically impacting the artistic community. Floodwaters surged four feet high, destroying studios, artworks, and crucial equipment. “Everything that was wood or porous was already moldy. The desk had toppled over. So the computer, the laptop, and the scanner were destroyed,” Leich recalled. Eighty percent of the River Arts District was damaged and still hasn’t fully recovered.

The hurricane halted Leich’s newfound artistic momentum just as she began gaining traction. In January 2024, after years of balancing art with teaching, she had finally opened her first public studio in Riverview Station, fully immersing herself in her craft and connecting directly with the community.

“Last year was really the first year that I had decided to go full-time as an artist,” Leich said.

Her studio quickly became a haven for intricate oil paintings celebrating nature: lush landscapes, detailed bird portraits, and scenes exploring human relationships with the natural world. After her daughter’s birth, Leich found painting birds particularly therapeutic.

“I started painting little bird paintings because they can be done in like two hours… they’re kind of relaxing to make,” she explained.

Among the most painful hurricane losses was her grandmother’s rocking chair, a cherished heirloom reduced to flood debris. The flood’s impact extended beyond material damage. Leich’s family faced severe hardships, including two months without clean water. Even after the water returned, it wasn’t safe to drink.

“You could shower with it, but you still had to boil it,” Leich said. Neighborhood solidarity became crucial as residents cooked meals and communicated via crank radios when cell service and internet went down.

“It’s so unusual for us to live without cell phones and internet… to be that way during a time of intense crisis was just really bizarre and difficult,” she said.

Leich’s return to her artistic practice was slow but determined. Despite emotional and physical exhaustion, she began creating again: prints, greeting cards, and small paintings to rebuild her portfolio and reconnect with patrons. Yet, she worries deeply about fellow artists still displaced.

Support from local groups like the River Arts District Association has been critical, but significant challenges remain. Leich urges those outside Asheville to continue supporting recovery efforts by visiting local artists, purchasing art, or donating directly to aid organizations.

Many artists and residents still struggle financially, facing mortgages on destroyed homes and rent on new spaces. Amid the devastation, Leich remains anchored by her love for Asheville’s resilient community.

“There’s a lot of heartbreak and tragedy that will stay with us, but the thing that has most impacted me is the way that people look out for each other,” she said.

Despite everything, Harper Leich is committed to staying. Her family, her art, and her community remain deeply rooted in Asheville. “We just really love it here. It’s a beautiful area. Our roots are here.”

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This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program at UW-Milwaukee. Other stories from the project are available here.

This work was made possible through the support of MPC Endowment Ltd., the philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club.