Year in Review: Triumphs, Trials, and Bouncing Back After Hurricane Helene
ArtsvilleUSA reflects on a year filled with surprises in our last episode of the year. NOT REAL ART founder Scott Power joins in on the discussion.
Excuse our language, but 2024 was a whirlwind—literally. Our final episode of the year dives into a year-end recap reflecting on the impact of Hurricane Helene on the Asheville arts community. NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power joins ArtsvilleUSA director Louise Glickman to discuss the myriad challenges faced by local artists and art organizations, emphasizing the urgent need for support and funding to sustain their crafts in the aftermath of the disaster. The hosts highlight the resilience and ingenuity of the community as locals adapt to new digital platforms and outreach strategies to promote their work. The episode also introduces new initiatives, like the Helene Stories Hotline, where artists can share their stories and gain visibility. In this heartfelt conversation, Scott and Louise reaffirm their commitment to amplifying the voices of artists and keeping the spirit of creativity alive in Asheville and beyond.
The resilience of Asheville's artistic community shines through in this episode, which serves as a poignant recap of a year marked by both triumphs and tribulations. Louise and Scott delve into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and outline the significant impact on local artists and arts organizations. The conversation reveals the harsh reality of financial instability faced by artists as tourism dwindled and disaster relief funds fell short. However, amidst the challenges, the hosts spotlight the unwavering spirit of the community, showcasing various initiatives launched to support artists and keep the arts alive in Asheville. They discuss specific programs aimed at helping artists tell their stories and promote their work, emphasizing the critical role of digital platforms in reaching broader audiences. This episode chronicles the struggles and celebrates the creativity and determination of artists who refuse to be silenced by adversity. Listeners are encouraged to support local artists by purchasing their work and ensuring the continuation of Asheville's rich artistic heritage.
Tune in and join us for this special year-end recap. For more information, visit some of the links referenced in this conversation below.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
About Scott ‘Sourdough’ Power
Scott “Sourdough” Power is the co-founder and creative director of LA-based arts media organization Crewest Studio, a mission-driven company dedicated to the visual and performing arts. Scott has worked professionally in the creative arts since the age of 18. Born with big dreams in a steel town near Chicago, Scott credits his success to blue-collar, Midwestern roots. The grandson of a minister, Scott grew up on a church pew. His mother was a church choir director, and his father was a Sunday school teacher. Much to his family’s chagrin, Scott did not go to seminary like his grandfather.
As a boy, Scott was often sick with pneumonia and almost died. Spinal meningitis left him deaf in one ear. He attributes his survival to a loving family, capable doctors, and a fierce will to live. Raised in a musical family, Scott studied jazz and classical music, played alto saxophone, and won multiple competitions. As a teenager, he snuck into Chicago blues and jazz clubs to hear musical legends Miles Davis, Sun Ra, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Otis Rush perform.
In college, Scott focused on visual communication arts, earning a BA in graphic design and arts management from Columbia College Chicago in 1994. In 2008, he graduated from the AIGA Executive Business Program at Yale University and earned his professional licensing certification from Licensing International in 2016. By the time he graduated from college, Scott had worked an array of odd jobs: farm hand, construction worker, fast food cook, window washer, physical and occupational therapy aide, janitor, commercial painter, office temp, graphic designer, print production manager, bike messenger, outdoor guide, illustrator, roadie, rock band manager, DJ, photographer, copywriter, ad salesman, legal clerk, and public speaker.
Over the years, Scott has held key management positions in publishing, marketing, healthcare, and the visual arts. He has created consumer brands, products, and content for global Fortune 500 companies. He has produced and curated numerous art exhibitions, events, and programs featuring world-class contemporary visual artists from around the world.
Like many creatives, Scott is a truth seeker. Drive by joie de vivre and carpe diem, Scott sees himself as a creative explorer on the road less traveled. An inductee of the venerable Explorers Club, Scott left civilization during college to seek adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. While there, he learned to cook with sourdough starter and earned the lifelong moniker “Sourdough.”
In recent years, Scott helped launch a medical NGO in Haiti and served on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) in Toronto, Canada, and The Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, AZ. In 2023, he founded Arterial, Inc., a 501(c)(3) arts organization dedicated to helping artists tell their stories and promote their work to the masses.
This feature has been edited for length and clarity. All photos published with permission of the artist(s).