our many 2025 collaborators

MUSICIANS

Western North Carolina is a mecca of musical talent, and we're bringing together five of the most remarkable artists in the region. Don’t believe us? Just click the links below to learn more about these incredible musicians!

Collectively, they've performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Merle Watson Festival and BET's Bobby Jones Gospel. They've shared the stage with artists like John Medeski, DJ Logic, Ziggy Marley, the North Mississippi Allstars, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The original score, rooted in the rich musical traditions of WNC, will fuse old-time, bluegrass, and Afro-Appalachian folk with hip-hop, funk, blues-rock, and Latin rhythms—blending the past and present into a dynamic, inspiring, and evocative composition. Original components of the score are commissioned by the Charles and Joan Gross Family Foundation

VISUAL ARTISTS

Greeting patrons in the lobby of both theaters, the Rising Phoenix statue will be crafted from more than 6,000 reclaimed bottles—collected by schools, businesses, and individuals affected by the storm—symbolizing the rebirth of Western North Carolina.

Installation artists Sara Sanders and Chas Llewellyn will lead the team from The STEAM Studio and SkillSet at UNC Asheville to bring the sculpture to life, weaving the names and stories of WNC heroes into its wings. Click on the photos to learn more about these remarkable artists!

POET

As part of the Rising Phoenix sculpture, beloved WNC poet and performance artist Barbie Angell will be writing and recording a series of poems inspired by the stories of the heroes. These poems will speak to all passersby, bringing the heroes’ actions to life.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Between the awe-inspiring backdrop and the Rising Phoenix statue, this event repurposes over 12,000 water bottles—each symbolizing the significant environmental impact of waste and debris left in the wake of the storm. This act serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges our ecosystem faces.

To highlight the importance of community engagement in addressing these issues, we are partnering with Asheville GreenWorks, who will share their mission at the event.

We are also excited to highlight the Come Hell or High Water Memory Project spearheaded by the Buncome County Library Special Collections. Click the link below to look through photos, video and stories from the flood. And contribute your own!