Aid Jonathan Warner's Journey to Recovery and Creation

When it rains, sometimes it REALLY pours. And sometimes you see someone who could really use some help who is overwhelmed with their own reality and not able to ask, so you ask for them.

Jonathan Warner is a talented designer with a landscape architecture, planning, and ecology firm, a gifted and skilled artist, a good and loyal friend, a wonderful dad to his furry kids, Frida and Diego (yes, after them), and someone who has endured way too many rainy days recently and is in need of support.

In brief (as brief as possible): After losing many of his belongings to cigarette damage (he does not smoke) in his first Asheville apartment, Jonathan moved into a second apartment, only to have to move multiple times in less than a year after a building fire and subsequent fire-supression damage to his apartment. He sought alternative housing and release from the lease from his landlords but was told the space was livable, yet he was expected to live in the tiny studio space with constantly running industrial dehumidifiers, then demolition entailing the loss of his only closet space, no floor in the entry or external hallway, and no floor, sink, or toilet in the bathroom. He did seek counsel on any and all recourse, and sadly the laws tend to side with the landlord, leaving him liable for rent on a space he could not inhabit, while also paying rent in other temporary housing and finding temporary housing for his animals; effectively doubling his rent. He is finally in a much better living situation, but the personal, financial, and emotional turmoil of that experience lingers, and is not the only challenge Jonathan has faced.

Outside of the incredible work he does in his role as part of a team working to make western NC an even better place to live and recreate, Jonathan also produces singular ceramic creations. His intricately drawn surfaces are filled with quirky characters and beautiful creatures. His sculpted forms have personality and joy, and while he has only been showing and selling this work for a few years, he has a growing following of fans and collectors of his work. Jonathan is a member of an advanced ceramics program centered on mentoring, and has access to a fully equipped studio where he is able to create and fire his works.

This, however, is not a 24/7 access studio, and his other work schedule does not allow him frequent access during open hours, so he designs and paints much of his work at home. Not having a stable home for months on end meant Jonathan has not been able to create ample inventory to do summer shows, or take commissions, which translates into more lost revenue. This is now endangering his ability to keep his studio space, as his annual lease commitment approaches in the Fall.

That may be enough to fit the 'when it rains it pours' definition, but wait, there's more. Jonathan also needs a double hip replacement, in response to advanced arthritis as well as bone spurs in his sockets. While it has not yet been scheduled, the accelerated rate of decline will likely require it to happen within the year. He does currently have insurance, but will of course have to meet his deductible before full coverage kicks in. As well, his sweet pup, Frida, has been ill recently with a recurrence of a tick-born illness, and her vet and emergency services fees are currently in the thousands, with follow up treatments to come.

So much for brief, but the challenges that have confronted Jonathan have been anything but brief, and we truly believe that people want to help each other, and that people hearing Jonathan's story will want to help if they can.

A synopsis of some of the financial challenges:

Jonathan is still recovering from a monthly outlay of double rent, with no hope of winning any compensation for what he has paid for the apartment he could not inhabit.

His annual tuition for the ceramics program and his studio space is over $5,000, and although he is applying for scholarships, that fee does not include the costs of materials and firings to replenish his inventory for sales and shows.

Frida's medical bills have already passed $2,600.00, and if her current treatment isn't sufficient, it will be more.

His own impending surgery will cost him at least $1000 out of pocket.

As anyone knows who has faced severe and unexpected life expenses, it's hard enough to come up for air and recover financially. It's something else when the trauma has been emotional as well, and dealing with all of it with ongoing physical pain makes it that much harder to 'bounce back'. We want to help Jonathan get caught up on these expenses and give him a bit of a buffer and feeling of love and support as he plans his surgery and recovery.

How you can help:

Well this is a fundraising site, and this is a fundraiser! You can help directly by donating here, in any amount you can manage.

You can share this link, and Jonathan's story, with anyone you think might be able to help.

If you are a fan of Jonathan's work, you can follow him on his Instagram page (jwcreates) and watch for story sales. As he's been able, he's creating new work that is being fired in both electric and wood and soda ash kiln, and in lieu of the shows he would normally be doing, he will be posting work for sale via his social media and hopeful future website.

You can send him encouraging messages here as well - support isn't always about making a monetary donation, although let's be clear, that's why we're here and that's what will make a significant difference. But Jonathan is one who is very passionate about his work, both in the design field, and in his art. Both works bring so much joy and happiness to others, and that's something we can all use these days. So, if the most you can do is send words of encouragement, that will be received with deep gratitude as much as every dollar. And every dollar will be received with deep humility and everlasting gratitude.