Visitors to Asheville’s Buncombe County spent nearly $3 billion last year, accounting for 20% of the county’s annual economy. “It has been a very vibrant tax base” as well, added Nadine Charlsen, who owns Northlight Studios on Depot Street and served as president of the River Arts District from 2018 to 2021. Asheville’s River Arts District in 2018. Nadine Charlsen, owner of Northlight Studios, Asheville, N.C. Andrea Kulish Wilhelm, an artist and teacher who specializes in pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs, has been walking down to the River Arts District every day since Helene swept through.

---

Persons: Helene, ”, Max Trumpower, Hurricane Helene, Nadine Charlsen, Vic Isley, George Rose, Katie Cornell, ArtsAVL, she’s, Andrea Kulish Wilhelm, Kulish Wilhelm, can’t, Charlsen, ” Charlsen Organizations: Arts, Asheville, Visitors, “, Explore, Northlight Studios, River Arts District, Arts District, Pink Dog, Cornell Locations: Asheville, North, Hurricane, North Carolina, Asheville’s Buncombe, Explore Asheville, N.C