A Conversation With Our Art Remains Grantees

As we mark the one-year anniversary of Helene, we are reminded not just of the storm’s devastating impact, but of the resilience of our arts community and the collective effort that helped it recover. In October of 2024, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Lamplight AVL launched the Recover, Remain, & Thrive program to support artists and organizations in our community.

Phase 2 of this effort included a community-supported fundraiser, through which we collectively raised $115,000 to offer recovery grants to local arts organizations deeply impacted by the storm. After an extensive application and review process, 9 area organizations were awarded grants.

Instead of traditional grant reporting, we did something different. This past July, we hosted a conversation at Drop of Sun Studios with grantees to hear directly from them—about how the storm affected their work, how your support helped them recover, and where they are today.

 

Today, so close to the 1 year anniversary of the storm, we’re honored to share a video from that conversation with you.

Helene taught us the power of showing up for one another in impossible times. As you remember the storm, remember what you supported in the aftermath, how our community came together to buoy one another up, and the resilience and care we witnessed in our entire region. Your support of our recovery initiative has deeply impacted the work of the grantees in this video and the artists they support, and we and they are so grateful!

 

With deep gratitude,

—The Lamplight AVL Team

Croctober with Dan Reid | October 2025

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The storm disrupted so much, including our fall and winter schedule last year. This residency is rescheduled from last October, and we are pleased to present Croctober, curated by Brett Naucke. Croctober will feature a playful series of silly Croc-inspired paintings and drawings created for Croctober Fest. Each piece celebrates the iconic shoe with humor and charm, guaranteed to spark laughter and smiles. Lighthearted, quirky, and a little absurd—this collection is all about joy, fun, and creative Croc appreciation.

Born and raised in the picturesque land of Asheville, North Carolina, D aka Dan aka Daniel (only when people are mad at him) is an artist whose creativity flows as freely as their love for Crocs. Known for their distinctive style, they merge the comfort of these iconic clogs with their vibrant artwork, often found sporting a pair in every imaginable color while creating masterpieces. Whether they’re recreating famous paintings or replacing famous people’s faces with their favorite shoe, you can bet their Crocs are always the muse for their next big idea. In the world of art, D proves that the right footwear can truly inspire greatness—or at least a lot of chuckles.