Author: Andie Freeman
Header image: Multimedia artist Jenny Pickens. Photo courtesy of the artist.
When disaster strikes, it disrupts life in ways that overshadow everything else. For Jenny Pickens, a multimedia artist based in Asheville, Hurricane Helene was just one of several challenges she faced last fall.
Born and raised in Asheville, Jenny is a self-taught artist who has spent more than four decades creating in fiber arts, pencil, pen and ink, pastels, oils, hand-built pottery, and repurposed jewelry. As she says on her website, she “infuses her creations with the vibrancy and depth that characterize the Black experience.” Her work also includes murals throughout Asheville, including one for the courtyard at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts, which she designed to represent more than twenty years of Wortham programming. In addition to her art practice, Jenny teaches art at Asheville PEAK Academy.
As Jenny explains, “My art style is solely based on my personal upbringing and cultural identity. It’s my voice, healing, a way to bring people together. This started at a very early age, with a few words of encouragement from my first kindergarten art teacher.”
The day Hurricane Helene hit was already tense. Jenny was scheduled for a biopsy following a suspicious mammogram. In that moment, the need for healing became deeply personal. “I really needed to make some art,” said Jenny. “I had to redirect everything! My granddaughter and I started rolling up old newspapers making paper tubes. From that, I made a doll. It sits in my craft room as a reminder. On October 29th, the day after my birthday, I got the news: stage 1 breast cancer. My faith, family, and art would be greatly needed.”
Creating art after the storm proved difficult. Jenny had been staying at her daughter’s home and couldn’t return to her own because of flooded and damaged roads. With no water or power at her daughter’s house, they leaned on their community, sharing food, tears, and laughter. “Hurricane Helene was more than a devastating storm. It was life-changing. I was fortunate to have very little damage to my place. Everyone was okay, physically.”
Since the storm, Jenny has found a renewed sense of peace and purpose. “My art, my spirit, and love for life are different. My art is brighter, bolder, and speaks very loudly. There’s a greater emphasis on the eyes—the windows to the soul. I am what it means to rise from the ashes.”
Her refreshed spirit is evident in new projects and ongoing relationships with collectors. She’s currently working on commissioned pieces and exhibiting her work in Asheville.
“Thankfully, I have collectors who are drawn to my style of art,” said Jenny. “I don’t allow the fact of not having a studio space affect my work. It will come at the right time. Also, I will have a collection of paintings at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts until December. That’s always exciting and brings me joy. I’ve always said it’s not about the money; it will come. There’s a strong correlation between my art and its connection to the world. There are so many people that need it. I will continue to make it happen.”
