Tea in the Tempest

ASHEVILLE, NC - Pink Dog Creative Gallery is proud to present "Tea in the Tempest," a powerful collaborative exhibition by mixed media artist Heather Divoky and textile artist Emelie Weber Wade. The show runs from May 9 through June 8, 2025, with an opening reception on Friday, May 9th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

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In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina, Divoky and Wade have come together to process their shared experiences through art. This exhibition builds on the pre-storm exhibit concept, "Tea Time for Two," which celebrates friendship and collaboration between studio mates. "Tea in the Tempest" emerges as the post-storm continuation, reflecting on destruction and loss, while also celebrating the resilience and rebuilding that followed.

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"We wanted to stay true to the show we had originally envisioned, but also process the powerful emotions the hurricane stirred in us," says Divoky. "The collaborative pieces especially speak to how Emelie and I use our art to channel those raw, transformative feelings. Together, we’ve woven a narrative of resilience and renewal that we can’t wait to share with you."

Divoky’s contributions include twelve new signature paper head crowns, each meticulously crafted with marker, ink, and wire. Alongside these, she presents several new hand-drawn works that explore the intricate emotions of the storm’s aftermath, as well as an elaborate mobile installation that brings movement and life to the exhibit. These pieces capture the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, inviting viewers to experience the emotional journey of recovery through art.

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Wade’s work in “Tea in the Tempest” delves into the emotional aftermath of Hurricane Helene, using handwoven pattern inlay wall art and non-traditional quilts to explore dreams, memories, and the shifting concept of home after tragedy. Inspired by vivid dreams following the storm, Wade’s woven inlay pieces combine figurative imagery with traditional Appalachian weaving patterns to represent the complex layers of grief, healing, and renewal. The quilted works, often incorporating personal symbols of home and resilience, reflect the delicate process of rebuilding, both personally and within a community. Through this combination of weaving and quilting as mediums, Wade’s art invites reflection on how the passage of time reshapes our understanding of loss and the place we call home.

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The centerpiece of the exhibition features three collaborative installations that speak to different aspects of the hurricane experience: a woven paper/fiber blanket, a life-sized tree representing the moment of change, and an interactive house installation that embodies the spirit of rebuilding and community resilience in the aftermath.

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"Tea in the Tempest" invites visitors to witness how creative expression can transform trauma into shared healing. The title references finding moments of calm and contemplation amidst overwhelming circumstances.

 

Exhibition Details:

• Dates: May 9 - June 8, 2025

• Opening Reception: Friday, May 9, 5:00 - 8:00 PM

• Location: Pink Dog Creative, 348 Depot St, Asheville, NC

• Admission: Free and open to the public