News

Saluda Arts Festival is set for May 17

Scott 'Doc' Varn is an artist and conservationist based in Western North Carolina and is the founder and Executive Director of Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA), a nonprofit blending art, history, and a deep love of the land to protect America’s natural and historic treasures.

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 2, 2025

SALUDA — When the flood came, it didn’t just soak canvases — it swept away dreams, displaced dozens of artists in Asheville’s River Arts District and silenced some of the most creative voices in our region.

Many of those artists lost their studios, their work and their livelihoods when Hurricane Helene overwhelmed the French Broad River and brought unprecedented destruction to this beloved cultural corridor.

But just upriver, a different kind of tide is rising—one of resilience, community and creativity. This May, t

The Saluda Arts Festival on May 17 offers a chance for the Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina communities to show up, stand together and help artists and neighbors get back on their feet.

Many of the artists featured at this year’s Saluda Arts Festival are members of Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA)—a nonprofit organization that uses the power of art to protect and celebrate the landscapes that define our heritage. These are not just artists—they are stewards of the land and chroniclers of place. Their work connects us to the history, beauty, and soul of the natural world around us.

Through their collaboration with Saluda Studios, these artists have already made a mark on the Saluda community. Before the flood, their artwork was featured in exhibitions dedicated to conservation and environmental storytelling. After the flood, Saluda Studios opened its arms, offering them a space to begin again. Now, these same artists—many still recovering from devastating losses—are returning to Saluda not only to share their art, but to rebuild what was lost.

Attending the Saluda Arts Festival is about supporting artists who have suffered profound loss but continue to create and inspire, and it’s about recognizing that when our creative community thrives, we all do. By purchasing artwork, engaging with these creators, and simply showing up, you help artists recover their footing—and help Saluda’s local economy continue to blossom.

The festival features:

• More than 90 artists across all media, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more.
• Live music throughout historic downtown Saluda.
• Food vendors and local flavors that celebrate Appalachian culture.
• A chance to meet artists who are part of the RAD community and the PAPA family—each with powerful stories of loss, hope, and renewal.