Patricia McIlreavy Urges Inclusion of Arts in Disaster Recovery Plans
In a piece for The Art Newspaper, Patricia McIlreavy, the president of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, highlights the crucial role of arts and culture in the aftermath of disasters. She recounts the experience of St Petersburg artist Sheila Olsen, whose artwork Storm suffered damage during Hurricane Helene. Olsen chose to restore the piece while retaining some of its imperfections. With over three decades of experience in disaster recovery, McIlreavy acquired the painting at auction. She points out that metrics focusing solely on damaged homes fail to account for the loss of livelihoods and cultural identity. McIlreavy calls on leaders to involve artists in recovery efforts, citing Asheville's River Arts District, where 80% of structures were affected. Philanthropists and local authorities played a key role in revitalizing this creative area.
Key facts
- Patricia McIlreavy is president and chief executive of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
- Artist Sheila Olsen, based in St Petersburg, Florida, painted Storm, an abstract seascape reflecting Hurricane Ian's destruction.
- Storm was hanging in a local gallery when Hurricane Helene's floodwaters carried it away; Olsen later found and restored the damaged canvas, preserving some damage.
- McIlreavy, with over 30 years in disaster recovery and humanitarian aid, won the painting at auction and now owns it.
- Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina's River Arts District, home to more than 700 artists, damaging an estimated 80% of buildings.
- Philanthropists, business leaders, and local government provided grants and temporary studio space and created a long-term Arts Recovery Framework for Asheville.
- Two years after the storm, the River Arts District is again filled with artists, students, and visitors, remaining the creative heart of Asheville and a vital economic engine.
- McIlreavy calls for arts and culture to be included in recovery planning from the outset, not treated as afterthoughts.
Entities
Artists
- Sheila Olsen
- Patricia McIlreavy
Institutions
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- St Petersburg
- Florida
- United States
- Asheville
- North Carolina
- River Arts District