Please help

While I usually do an update every couple of weeks on a line of thinking I’ve been following or snapshot of what’s going on in my studio (you can also follow me on Instagram to get some of that), this week what’s on my mind is the impact of Hurricane Helene on the western part of my home state.

I know for a lot of artists that are full-time, making the ends meet is an ongoing reality that doesn’t leave capacity for giving financial help to other artists. In that context, the amount of damage done to western NC’s Arts communities is doubly heart-breaking, as many of the creatives impacted lost equipment, supplies and work which replacing probably seems out of reach. I hope those of you reading who can make a donation (still, I’m sure many of you have already) will check out the NC Arts Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. If you’d rather make a general contribution to help local organizations doing work to keep people fed, clothed and able to access everything from meds to cell service (no disrespect to Red Cross et. al. but these are orgs in the region on the ground who know the people they are helping) please check out Appalachian Voices resource page.

In the interest of tying this back to much of what I write about, I’ll note that I have seen and read about so much destruction and loss, and, I have seen Americans looking out for each other and giving without any need or desire for anything back. People are good, y’all.

Please leave details on other resources in comments as the spirit moves, and please share this information widely (and thank you to all who have been amplifying good work and ways to help online)!