The late half of 2024 saw many tragedies including the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in many parts of the United States including Asheville, North Carolina, home to Bender Gallery and its creative residents. What once was a seemingly hopeless situation in the hurricane’s aftermath now has a new sense of hope as Bender Gallery are proud to present their upcoming exhibition ‘Standing Strong’, a group benefit show that seeks to help the artists who were affected by the disaster. Starting from 11 January 2025, ‘Standing Strong’ will debut both online and in-person and will feature a eclectic mix of works from some of Asheville’s most talented artists.
‘Standing Strong‘
Featured Artists: Annie Kyla Bennett, Elizabeth Porritt Carrington, Greg Carr, Heather Clements, Lissa Friedman, Amanda J. Kendrick, Kelcey Loomer, Daniel McClendon, Kasey Moran, Jodi O’Hara, Jeremy Phillips, Peter Roux, and Jeff Snell.
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 11, 5-8pm
In Person Exhibition Dates: January 11 – January 25, 2025
Online Exhibition Dates: January 11 – February 8, 2025
Bender Gallery
29 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC | ph. 828.505.8341
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
For inquiries please email [email protected]
About ‘Standing Strong’ //
Asheville, North Carolina has been through a lot in the final months of 2024. Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina at the end of September, bringing with it high winds and heavy rainfall. The French Broad River was like a spine for many businesses in WNC. Many, many art studios and galleries sit along the river in what is known as the River Arts District, or RAD. The river flooded, waters rising nearly twenty-five feet in some areas. Ultimately, 80 percent of the district was ravaged by the flood, with hundreds of artists losing everything; their studios, their supplies, and their artwork.
With so many displaced artists, and a community that thrives on the arts, Bender Gallery sprang into action to create an event for artists who were affected by the storm. Luckily, downtown Asheville was left relatively unscathed (not including the lack of drinking water for 54 days). The gallery reached out to artists with high caliber work and put together a roster of thirteen artists. These artists will be part of the exhibition, ‘Standing Strong’, opening at Bender Gallery on January 11th. All sales with go to the artists.
There will also be donated paintings, with sales going to the River Arts District fund. If you would like to donate directly to that fund, follow this link: https://www.riverartsdistrict.com/donate/
The artists participating now call Asheville their home, but are originally from many different places including Ireland, Alaska, Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia, and New Hampshire. The vast variety of backgrounds will make for an exciting show of invigorating work.
About Bender Gallery //
Established in 2005, Bender Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and Asheville’s first international art gallery. Bender Gallery specializes in abstract, figurative, pop, and surreal works by notable national and international artists. The artists represented by Bender Gallery are known for their originality and artistic perfection.
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