Tragedy & Triumph: Nonprofit repurposes Helene's downed trees, turning them into art

Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene unleashed her fury upon Western North Carolina, resilience, collaboration, artistry, and hope continue to prevail. Among new nonprofits launched in the wake of the storm, one with a unique mission stands out: Echoes of the Forest.

Created by Asheville writer Liisa Andreassen, this project involves talented woodworkers repurposing downed trees into public works of art such as sculptures and benches—memorializing the forests in a way, while fomenting a healing spirit.Founded early in 2025, Andreassen says Echoes emerged “from a desire to honor fallen trees and offer artists a chance to rebuild, all while helping the community to heal and boost tourism. I know that sounds like a tall order, but it’s starting to happen,” she says. “I knew if I wanted to be serious about this it had to be more than a passion project, so I assembled a team of people with diverse skillsets and formed an official 501c3.”

The works of art will be seen throughout WNC, with the first exhibit—a beautiful bench created by Chester Shuey of Appalachian Joinery—revealed in Asheville’s River Arts District. The hurricane-salvaged wood was harvested from 800 pounds of white oak.

The NC Arboretum, fittingly, will exhibit three Echoes installations, beginning in September with a playful box turtle sculpture by Mike Ayers of Mountain Mike’s Whetstone Woodworks, followed in October by Shuey’s display of a live-edge bench. The curated series concludes in November with a wood-and-rock bench by Mark Oliver, serving as a retreat of sorts where visitors can sit and reflect amid serene surroundings. “This project is not a one and done,” Andreassen asserts.