On the Blue Ridge
On the Blue Ridge is a podcast featuring conversations with people making an imprint on the Blue Ridge Mountains in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Guests include writers, artists, makers, chefs, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and citizens living in and around the region.
On the Blue Ridge
4: Heather Clements on Reclaiming Creativity in the Wake of Storms
Heather Clements is a professional artist and art instructor whose life and work have been profoundly shaped by the forces of nature. Heather is part of Asheville’s River Arts District, which suffered catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Helene.
Helene was the second major storm to upend Heather’s life and career. In 2018, while living in Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Michael destroyed her home, forcing a year-long hiatus from creating art. Last year, Heather and her husband relocated to Asheville. This September, Helene spared their home but devastated most of the River Arts District, including 310 Art, the gallery where Heather taught classes and showcased her work, which explores the deep connection between humans and the natural world.
In this episode, Heather shares how these natural disasters have tested her resilience and transformed her creativity. She discusses her personal experiences with both Hurricane Michael and Helene; how natural disasters have hindered and inspired her work; and how a trip to the mountains after Hurricane Michael helped lift her out of depression. Heather also takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, from her interactive murals to her new book, “Pull Me Apart.”
Heather’s Work
“Pull Me Apart: An Interactive Sketchbook”
@heatherclementsart on Instagram
Lilith, an interactive mural in downtown Asheville
Hurricane Helene flood self portrait
Donations
Riverview Station
Also Mentioned
Laurel River Trail
Theme Music
The song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.