Help John Mac Kah Rebuild A Workshop Space

Hello friends, family, and art lovers,

My name is Tara Webb. I currently live in Greensboro, NC and I am part of a team helping to raise funds for my parents, who live in Asheville, NC. My stepfather is John Mac Kah , a contemporary realist painter. Like hundreds of others in the River Arts District, John and my mother Ruthanne, lost their entire second-floor studio space in Riverview Station to Hurricane Helene.

This is the studio pre-flood.

Aftermath of the flood, post cleanout - note the unsafe floor.

The storm devastated not only their personal workspace of nine years but also their teaching and community-engagement space. The studio, gallery, kitchen, and teaching spaces, JMK Studio 236, was swamped by the French Broad River as it swept through the River Arts District during Hurricane Helene on September 27th. We all had no idea the river would crest at 24.7 feet!

Unsalvageable paintings covered in silt.

What they could salvage is now in temporary storage, but the Riverview Station building is nearly 100 years old. They may not be able to return for months—or ever—if the building is condemned or faced with costly repairs. They lost two rooms of art supplies including tools, furniture, personal effects, and other living resources.

Flood damaged trash outside the building.

Business printer ruined.

They also lost an archive of student sketchbooks, multiple drawings and paintings, hard-to-find art books, furniture, storage drawers, plants, props for still-life, kitchen supplies, and so much more.

Student portfolios and materials soaked with flood water.

Most importantly, they suffered the loss of their main source of income - the opportunity to teach workshops.

This is the studio during a workshop.

John and Ruthanne have spent years building a welcoming space where they teach workshops on drawing, painting, portraiture, landscape art, sculpture, anatomy, and the use of tools and materials. The unique nature of the studio as a living/work/art space creates a diverse community of lifelong learners. The students include high school students, art educators, college-level art students, students with disabilities seeking occupational art therapy, and retired professionals from all walks of life. The studio was a place where students of all levels could explore their creativity, learn foundational skills, and grow their artistic expression.

We are reaching out today to ask for your help to support John and Ruthanne as they recover from the damage caused by Helene. We hope your help will help them reconnect with their community of students, friends, and art lovers as soon as possible. Your donations will go directly toward:

The goal is to help them create a space to start teaching again as soon as possible and provide a healing space where the community can continue to gather, learn, and be inspired. We are grateful for any support—whether that’s through donations, sharing this campaign, or just sending good vibes for recovery.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

With love and gratitude,

John Mac Kah and the Studio236 Team