This time last fall, Hurricane Helene devastated our region. In time, the land is recovering and families are healing. ‘Layered, Woven & Pierced: Appalachian Soul A Year On’ is curated to commemorate the strength and solidarity of the region’s communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
The exhibition ‘Layered, Woven & Pierced: Appalachian Soul A Year On’ is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m.
Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, director for the ETSU Slocumb Galleries and the Tipton Gallery, shares, “The exhibition entitled ‘Layered, Woven & Pierced: Appalachian Soul A Year On’ is curated by Lyn Govette as homage to the region and the communities affected by hurricane Helene on September 2024. The exhibition features artists from the region, mainly Asheville, Johnson City, Erwin, Jonesborough and other nearby locales who were impacted by the hurricane.”
Featured artists include: Kara Bledsoe, Laura Bowman, Spenser Brenner, Jane Broderick, Lacey Church, Virginia Derryberry, Kimberly English, poet Felipe Fiuza, Mark Flowers, Jonas Gerard, Mira Gerard, Karena ‘Kidd’ Graves, Andrew Joyner, Haleah Mauk, Jeremy Miles, Melanie Norris, Emily Parris, Kelly Porter, Natalie Richardson, Todd Simmons, Tema Stauffer, Rebecca Tolley, Pattiy Torno, with music by Adam Pope, Helene book by South Central School students.
The gallery is located at The Ashe Courthouse. Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, director for the ETSU Slocumb Galleries and the Tipton Gallery, comments, “The Ashe Courthouse is a historical building owned by the Washington County and renovated by the City Commission of Johnson City with grants from state government, and leased to ETSU for 5 years.” The Courthouse is located at 401 Ashe St., Downtown Johnson City.
In addition to open hours, the gallery will host events. Contreras-Koterbay shares, “‘Conversations’ Friday, 26 Sept. 2025, 5 to 7 p.m. With curator Lyn Govette, Storyteller Samuel Smith from Jonesborough Storytelling Guild, Rise Up Erwin and ETSU Community Development facilitator Nathan Farnor and former JC commissioner Aaron Murphy with community members who want to share their experience with Helene.”
“‘The Inaugural Reception’ Friday 3 October 3 from 6 to 8 pm will feature participating Artists’ Speak, poetry reading by Dr. Felipe Fiuza, and bluegrass music by Michaela Allison Langley with guests of honor ETSU Provost Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, CAS Dean Dr. Joe Bidwell and Commissioner Brock. The Johnson City Main Street committee will also hold a ‘Welcome to Walnut’ on October 3, starting at 4pm until 9pm surrounding the Courthouse.”
Contreras-Koterbay adds, “There are two youth art workshops supported by the Arts Build Communities grant of the Tennessee Arts Commission. First is the quilt workshop by Rebecca Tolley on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Langston Centre and a handbuilding ceramic demo by Jeremy Myles at ETSU Art & Design Annex on Saturday, 11 October 11. All events are free and open to the public but workshops need advance registration to reserve the supplies”
