Support NOiR Collective & Black Artists in Asheville

Noir Collective AVL, a Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore in the historic Black business district of Asheville, NC and like many businesses in AVL, we’ve been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Noir represents more than thirteen local and 5 regional Black artists and entrepreneurs, whose creations are on display in our shop. While Noir was spared the worst impacts of Hurricane Helene, our region continues to struggle in the aftermath of the storm. Our own energies have been directed at supporting relief efforts, and so we have not reopened the shop.

It's become apparent to us that we need to pivot the way we do business to an online platform. As our city grapples with this profound crisis, there is no tourist traffic. Because the shop is closed, neither we nor the artists, crafters, and entrepreneurs in our collective are earning money. While Asheville’s economy is reliant on tourism, half of our revenue is generated from locals, all of whom have been impacted in some way from this Hurricane. Everyone has been impacted.

We are grieving at the loss of over 300 artist studio spaces as well as other venues where we exhibit our local artist community. We are also profoundly aware of the interruption of each creative’s ability to move towards full-time entrepreneurship as a result of this catastrophic event.

We need to develop a more resilient business model and pay our rent!

The funds we raise will be used in several ways: first, initial funds will be used to purchase supplies for the artists in our network and redesign our space for artist creativity, enabling us to get back to our creative work so that they and we have more products to sell online. Second, we will use the funds raised to transition our website to a better functioning e-commerce site so we can better connect our BIPOC consignors and wholesalers and their beautiful works to customers like you.

We invite you to be on this journey of recovery with us. Thank you for your consideration.

Ajax Ravenel & alexandria monque r.

Fem Fam & Co-owners