Author: Andie Freeman
Header image: Anna Bryant working in her studio. Photo credit: John DuPre, courtesy of Anna Bryant.
Last fall, Hurricane Helene brought devastation to western North Carolina, threatening the state’s culture and economy. Artists affected by the damage are reflecting on their experiences and finding ways to support one another and the community at large as they find their way forward. Art Matters is shining a light on some of these artists. Meet Anna Bryant, the subject of our first profile in a series we’ve titled “Portraits in Resilience.”
Anna states that she is a “printmaker and muralist with a practice deeply rooted in telling a story about community, healing, and the ties that bind us. I use the symbolic beauty and movement of the human form as a recurring motif to explore connection, resilience, and the interwoven nature of individual and collective experiences.” Her work simplifies the human form, capturing the essence of an experience and tapping into emotional connections to draw the viewer into the scene. “These themes have always been central to my work, but after everything that’s happened in the past year, they feel more relevant than ever,” Anna says. “Whether through large-scale public murals that become part of a community’s shared space or more intimate pieces in my personal portfolio, I want my work to serve as a reminder of our collective strength and how art has the power to connect us.”
Before Helene, Anna was an active organizer and member of a thriving printmaking community at Asheville Print Studio + Gallery. The studio was in the River Arts District, and it was destroyed. The building, which provided space for artists, was not the only loss. All the equipment and materials and the work of more than 40 artists were also swept away. The loss changed everything for Anna. Her creative practice was uprooted, and the collaborative community that had been at the heart of the studio was dismantled.
Western North Carolina’s creative community is strong, and Anna has found support through a local artist cohort focused on recovery and rebuilding. “I’m excited to see what new connections and opportunities will arise from that experience,” Anna said. “Amid all this loss, I’ve also experienced an incredible outpouring of support from fellow artists, my community, and organizations that truly understand how vital the arts are to this region. We are so fortunate to live in a place where creativity is valued and nurtured, and that support has kept me motivated to keep pushing forward.”
Over the past six months, she has channeled her energy into creating, despite the loss of a dedicated studio. She has done this by focusing on murals, which allow her to create without a studio, and on finding a new space for the future. Her recent murals can be viewed at the Asheville Tanger Outlets and at the French Broad River Academy. She has more mural projects scheduled for later this year.
Artists find a way, and Anna is no exception. She is working with her business partner, Denise Markbreit, to open a new studio, Print House, in downtown Asheville. This space will do more than offer Anna and Denise a new place to create. It will serve also as a hub for creative collaboration and as an educational center, where local, regional, and national artists will offer classes and workshops. Print House will have a public grand opening on May 17. For the month of April, Anna is in residence at Vermont Studio Center, allowing her the time and space to create new work and reflect on the events of the past year.
When asked how the effects of the storm will shape her work, Anna explained, “Everything I create now carries a deeper sense of purpose. I have a deeper understanding of the power that art has to shape and strengthen communities. I’ve witnessed firsthand the tenacity of our region, and my journey of rebuilding is just one of many. It's truly inspiring to see resilience all around me.”
She continued, “In western North Carolina and the broader Appalachian region, craft traditions are deeply woven into the fabric of daily life, and I’m committed to celebrating and contributing to that rich artistic heritage. I hope my work serves as an ongoing reminder of our resilience, long after the storm. It’s an honor to play a small role in strengthening connections and bringing art and beauty back into our community—whether through public art that becomes part of the landscape or the personal work I contribute to a larger collective story.”