Ember Collective Steps Up to Support Artists Affected by Hurricane Helene

Revenue isn't just a metric; it's a measure of trust. Every dollar that flows through our business represents someone who believed in our work, our vision, our values. This November, we're honoring that trust by directing 10% of our revenue to the RADA Foundation, supporting the artists and creative community of Asheville's River Arts District as they recover from Hurricane Helene.

A Creative Hub, Transformed by Catastrophe

For decades, the River Arts District has been the beating heart of Asheville's creative economy. More than 700 artists transformed abandoned industrial warehouses along the French Broad River into a thriving ecosystem of studios, galleries, and workshops. This wasn't just an artist colony. It was an economic engine generating roughly a billion dollars annually and sustaining thousands of jobs.

Then came September 27, 2024.

Hurricane Helene unleashed historic flooding across Western North Carolina. The River Arts District, nestled along the riverbank, bore the brunt of nature's fury. Floodwaters surged to unprecedented levels, consuming buildings, studios, and decades of creative work. When the waters finally receded, the damage was staggering: approximately 80% of the district's buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Artists returned to find their life's work floating away. Paintings that had taken years to complete were ruined. Pottery kilns sat submerged. Sculptures were swept downstream. Equipment representing tens of thousands of dollars in investment was rendered useless. More than 300 artists and 26 buildings were directly impacted.

But the true loss extended beyond the physical. This was a community fractured, a cultural landmark imperiled, and hundreds of creative livelihoods hanging in the balance.

Rising from the Floodwaters

Originally established to support the River Arts District through scholarships, space preservation, and community services, the RADA Foundation quickly pivoted to emergency response mode.

Their efforts have been both immediate and visionary:

• The RAD Outpost emerged as a lifeline, a downtown gallery space where displaced artists could continue exhibiting and selling their work while their studios remained uninhabitable.
• Emergency artist stipends provided crucial financial support to creative professionals who lost not just their workspace, but their inventory, equipment, and income stream.
• The Community Catalyst Fund began directing resources toward the monumental task of rebuilding and recovering creative spaces, ensuring that studios could reopen and galleries could welcome visitors again.

These aren't just relief efforts. They're an investment in resilience. They represent a community's refusal to let disaster define its future.

Why This Matters to Us

Ember Collective’s story began in Asheville, North Carolina, where designer and ceramic artist Nick Moen founded The Bright Angle in 2016. The studio was born from Nick’s vision to bridge design and craft, to bring together a community of makers dedicated to thoughtful, handmade work using locally sourced materials. For years, the studio thrived in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District, producing the signature porcelain pieces that defined its “mountain-modern” aesthetic and inspired the ethos Ember Collective continues today. But when Hurricane Helene struck in 2024, The Bright Angle’s original studio was among the many creative spaces destroyed by the flooding. The flood swept away walls and tools, but not the spirit that built them. That same spirit endures through Ember Collective, an evolution of The Bright Angle’s vision, still devoted to craft, beauty, and the artists who make them possible. Our November initiative to support the RADA Foundation is, in many ways, a way of giving back to the place and people who shaped our beginning.

When we learned about the devastation in Asheville, we saw more than a news story. We saw a creative community facing an existential threat. We saw artists who'd spent lifetimes honing their craft suddenly struggling to salvage what remained. We saw a district that had contributed immeasurably to its region's identity and economy now fighting for survival.

This resonates deeply with who we are. Our values, resilience, authentic storytelling, community, and meaningful impact, aren't just words on our website. They're principles that guide our decisions, including how we use our resources.

Our Commitment

Throughout November 2025, 10% of every dollar of revenue Ember Collective generates will go directly to the RADA Foundation's Hurricane Helene relief and recovery fund.

We're not doing this for recognition. We're doing it because when you have the means to help, and you witness a community in genuine need, the choice becomes obvious.

Join Us in Making a Difference

If you're considering working with us this November, know that your decision extends far beyond our partnership. You'll be contributing to something larger, the restoration of a creative ecosystem that has enriched countless lives.

Want to make a direct impact? Visit rada-foundation.org to learn more and contribute to their recovery efforts.

Curious about the River Arts District itself? Many artists have adapted, selling their work online and continuing to create despite the challenges. Your support, whether through purchases or simply spreading awareness, helps them rebuild.

The Bigger Picture

Natural disasters reveal something profound about communities: they either fracture under pressure or discover reservoirs of strength they didn't know they possessed. Asheville's artist community is demonstrating the latter.

By supporting the RADA Foundation, we're not just helping repair buildings or replace equipment. We're investing in the idea that creative communities matter, that art sustains more than just those who make it, and that recovery is possible when people come together with purpose.

We're grateful to our clients, partners, and community for making this commitment possible. You choose to work with us. We choose to give. Together, we're proving that business can be a genuine force for good

— The Ember Collective Team
November 2025: 10% of revenue supporting RADA Foundation's Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Asheville's River Arts District