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HARMONY AFTER HURRICANES: WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND NEW ORLEANS ARTISTS COME TOGETHER IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES EXHIBITION
The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts joins with Asheville-based ArtsvilleUSA, River Arts District Artists, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to produce and showcase “A Tale of Two Cities,” an exhibition exploring the role of art in the wake of environmental disaster, on display at NOAFA, September 13 through November 8, 2025.
ASHEVILLE, NC [September 6, 2025]—The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (NOAFA), in partnership with the Asheville-based ArtsvilleUSA, River Arts District Artists (RADA), and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA), announces A Tale of Two Cities (ATOTC), an exhibition featuring artwork and crafts from artists in New Orleans and Western North Carolina (WNC), produced in response to the destructive hurricanes that have shaped the two regions’ stories.
Opening on September 13, 2025—a date strategically situated between the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene—ATOTC commemorates the shared experiences and lessons of New Orleans and Asheville as they navigate the aftermath of climate-related disasters. Through this exhibition, artists will create a dialogue between the two cities, exploring themes of rebirth and the power of art to foster hope and recovery.
The exhibit will be on display at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (5256 Magazine Street) through November 8, 2025, providing a space for artists to reflect on their unique responses to similar challenges and inviting viewers on the first step of a journey to consider how shared experiences can lead to collective healing. An Asheville-exclusive leg of the exhibition is scheduled to open on September 1, 2026, at the Ferguson Family YMCA in Candler, North Carolina.
The virtual showcase of A Tale of Two Cities will be available on ArtsvilleUSA.com starting September 1, 2025, and will remain viewable through the end of the calendar year.
A Tale of Two Cities is curated by Jan Gilbert, Andrew J. Rodgers, Asheville-based artist Kenn Kotara, and Executive Director of The RADA Foundation, Kim Self Hundertmark. It is presented with support from Asheville’s River Arts District Artists (RADA) President Jeffrey Burroughs, the RADA Foundation, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
Kenn Kotara, artist and curator of over thirty artists exhibiting from Asheville, says, “Tale of Two Cities is all about community, creativity, and resilience. The exhibition invites viewers to experience artists from two cities responding to climate issues and meteorological events.”
Exhibiting artists from Asheville include Alison Chism, Amy Putansu, Ashely Graber, Cassie Butcher, Chris Jehly, Danielle Hughes, Elizabeth Carrington, Galen Frost Bernard, Hayden Wilson, Jeffrey Burroughs, Jesse Jason, Jim McDowell, Joseph Pearson, Julie Slattery, Kenn Kotara, Laura Woods, Melanie Maranda, Nava Lubelski, Peter Roux, Rob Amberg, and Tami Beldue.
Exhibiting artists from the Blue Ridge Craft Trails (an initiative project of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area) include Naomi Dalglish, Michael Hunt, Pam Brewer, the Crossnore Weavers, Rachel David, John Geci, Bob Kogut, Rodney Leftwich, Mike McKinney, William Rogers, Desmond Suarez, and Mary Thompson.
Exhibiting artists from New Orleans include Babette Beaullieu, Chandra McCormick, Frank Relle, Jan Gilbert, Jana Napoli, Jeremy Jernegan, Keith Calhoun, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Phil Sandusky, Rontherin Ratliff, Sibylle Peretti, and Tina Freeman.
Schedule of Events:
Speaker Series – Friday, September 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM CST
Art enthusiasts are invited to hear from ATOTC artists, curators, and supporters. Community leaders, planners, and gallerists from both cities will engage in an exchange on cultural opportunities and future possibilities, drawing on their personal experiences and creative expressions.
ATOTC Public Opening – Saturday, September 13, 2025, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm CST at NOAFA (5256 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA). Free and open to the public.
Speaker Series participants include ATOTC New Orleans artists Phil Sandusky, Tina Freeman, and Rontherin Ratliff; show curator and New Orleans artist Kenn Kotara; River Arts District Artists Association President Jeffrey Burroughs; and New Orleans planner Steven Bingler of Concordia Architects.
Music will be provided for the evening’s events by bands from WNC and New Orleans, including Zoe & Cloyd from Fairview, NC. The duo consists of Natalya Zoe Weinstein (fiddle/vocalist) and John Cloyd Miller (multi-instrumentalist/vocalist), who are featured on BRNHA’s Traditional Artist Directory and Blue Ridge Music Trails. Zoe & Cloyd bring a rich family history in music to the table, including bluegrass, klezmer, old-time, and folk. Their heartfelt lyrics and combined traditional style impart to listeners the vibe of Appalachian life.
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About ArtsvilleUSA: ArtsvilleUSA is a non-profit organization based in Asheville, NC, serving the arts and crafts community across all 23 counties of Western North Carolina. ArtsvilleUSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arterial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media platform dedicated to amplifying art in the world.
About the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area: The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, cultivating, and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina (WNC) counties and the Qualla Boundary, thereby benefiting both current and future generations. Heritage is not a nostalgic pining for a lost, simpler time, but an appreciation for the living traditions that honor past generations and encourage new generations to explore music, craft, agriculture, natural wonders, and Cherokee heritage, all of which have their roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Learn more at BlueRidgeHeritage.com. The Blue Ridge Craft Trails is an initiative of BRNHA that highlights over 340 artists, studios, galleries, and shops throughout WNC.
About the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts: The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts opened its doors at 5256 Magazine Street in 1980. Our non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of Fine Arts’ past and the development of its future through an engaging education in a welcoming environment.
About RADA: The River Arts District Artists is a nonprofit artist-led organization representing over 750 working artists and studios along Asheville’s French Broad River. The district is a national destination for immersive art experiences and cultural tourism. RADA promotes and supports the creative community through advocacy, events, education, and public engagement, fostering connections between artists and audiences throughout the year. Despite the challenges of Hurricane Helene, the district continues to rebuild and remains a symbol of Asheville’s artistic resilience and community spirit.
About RADA Foundation: The RADA Foundation supports the River Arts District Artists (RADA) by providing scholarships, shared workspace, and technical assistance. Committed to fostering creativity, the Foundation enhances Asheville’s vibrant arts community, creating a cultural hub that attracts art lovers and enriches the local scene with studios, galleries, and live music.
