Where Art Meets Function: Introducing Our Latest Echo Bench at the NC Arboretum
- Echoes of the Forest
- Oct 9
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina in late September 2024, it left behind a landscape forever changed. Trees that had stood for decades—some for centuries—were lost in a single night. The devastation was immense, but within that loss lay an opportunity for transformation.
This October, that transformation takes tangible form on the Grand Garden Promenade at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Introducing Chester Shuey's Live-Edge Bench
On October 18, 2025, Echoes of the Forest will unveil a stunning live-edge bench crafted by Chester Shuey of Appalachian Joinery—the second of three remarkable art installations coming to the NC Arboretum this fall. Designed for reflection and created from a white oak tree salvaged, this piece blends art and function in a captivating tribute to the rugged beauty of the Appalachian woods.
The unveiling will coincide with the Arboretum's Fall Trail Day, a celebration of nature, trails, and community. It's the perfect moment to witness how devastation can be transformed into beauty, and how art can help us heal.
The Artisan: Chester Shuey of Appalachian Joinery
Chester Shuey isn't new to Echoes of the Forest—or to Asheville. Known for his commitment to sustainable woodworking, Chester has already established a presence in our city with a bench in Asheville's River Arts District, which became our very first Echo when it was unveiled in June of this year.
Chester's approach to woodworking is rooted in respect: respect for the tree, respect for the craft, and respect for the story each piece of wood carries. His live-edge designs don't hide the natural character of the timber—they celebrate it. Every curve, every grain pattern, every unique mark becomes part of the final work, creating pieces that are as much about honoring what was as they are about creating something new.
For this latest installation, Chester has created more than just a place to sit. He's crafted an experience—a moment of pause in a beautiful setting, where visitors can rest, reflect, and connect with the landscape around them.
A Tribute to Appalachian Beauty
This new bench embodies everything that makes Appalachian woodworking special. The live-edge design preserves the organic shape of the wood, showcasing the natural contours and rich grain patterns that tell the story of the tree's life. It's a celebration of imperfection, of natural beauty, of the wild and rugged character that defines our mountain region.
Positioned on the Grand Garden Promenade in the Formal Gardens, the bench is fully accessible to all Arboretum visitors. Whether you're completing a hike on the nearly 10 miles of trails that have reopened since Hurricane Helene or taking a stroll through the gardens with family, this bench offers the perfect spot to pause and appreciate the craftsmanship and natural beauty that surrounds you.
As Liisa Andreassen, founder of Echoes of the Forest, explains: "The NC Arboretum's vibrant and natural setting is the perfect backdrop for these installations. Each piece represents a harmonious blend of artistry and environmental stewardship, inspiring our community to reflect on the resilience of nature, the value of craftsmanship, and the joy of shared experiences outdoors."
Chester's bench is the centerpiece of October's offerings, but it's part of a larger celebration happening at the Arboretum this fall and next year. Echoes of the Forest is bringing three remarkable installations to this beloved public garden, each crafted from wood recovered in the wake of Hurricane Helene:
September introduced "Mountain Mike" Ayers' delightful box turtle sculpture in the Playing Woods. Measuring approximately three feet high by up to five feet long, this playful yet meaningful piece features climbable elements that invite children, families, and nature lovers to interact with and appreciate the intricate craftsmanship while celebrating one of the region's most iconic woodland creatures.
October brings Chester Shuey's live-edge bench—a perfect blend of artistry and function designed for relaxation and reflection.
January will feature a unique bench installation by Mark Oliver, co-owner of Foundation Woodworks and owner of MJO Studios. Combining wooden and rock elements to create a cozy retreat, this piece incorporates a specially designed space to rest with a cup of tea or cocoa, encouraging visitors to pause, connect with nature, and savor the tranquil surroundings.
The Hurricane Helene Story: From Loss to Legacy
The impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina cannot be overstated. Approximately 40% of trees in Buncombe County were damaged or destroyed, not including Asheville's tree cover. Across 17 counties, 821,906 acres of forestland were impacted. The economic toll reached an estimated $59.6 billion, and 78% of the damage occurred on private lands.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. For those of us who call Western North Carolina home, the loss of our forests felt deeply personal. These trees shaded our homes, lined our streets, and defined our mountain landscape. They were part of our identity.
Echoes of the Forest was created to honor these fallen trees and transform loss into something meaningful and lasting.
Our Mission: More Than Art
By using wood salvaged from Hurricane Helene, Echoes of the Forest not only breathes new life into storm-damaged materials but also underscores the importance of sustainability. Our installations aim to foster deeper connections between visitors and the natural environment while honoring the unique stories etched into the timber's grain.
Our work is built on four core commitments:
Creativity and Artistic Expression: We commission local woodworkers and artists to create visually compelling works from tree remnants, showcasing the incredible talent within our region.
Environmental Education: We raise awareness about the importance of forests, ecosystems, and the impact of natural disasters. Each Echo serves as an educational tool to increase awareness about environmental conservation and the lasting effects of events like Hurricane Helene.
Community Healing and Pride: We foster healing by memorializing the trees and offering spaces for collective reflection. Simply being outdoors with these installations can contribute to overall mental health and community wellbeing.
Economic Renewal: We create innovative attractions that draw visitors to the area, boosting the local economy for artisans and beyond while supporting the talented craftspeople who make each Echo possible.
Join Us for the Unveiling
We warmly invite you to celebrate this special moment with us on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10 AM.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 10 AM.
Location: Grand Garden Promenade, Formal Gardens, NC Arboretum
Occasion: Fall Trail Day at the Arboretum
Echoes of the Forest founder Liisa Andreassen and board members will be present for a brief ceremony celebrating this remarkable piece. It's an opportunity to learn more about our mission, connect with the people behind Echoes of the Forest, and be among the first to experience Chester's beautiful creation.
Bring your family, bring your friends, and bring your camera. This is a community celebration because recovery and resilience are community efforts.
Looking Ahead: Winter Lights Collaboration
Our partnership with the NC Arboretum doesn't end with fall. We're thrilled to announce that Echoes of the Forest woodworkers will be creating special installations for the Arboretum's Winter Lights celebration later this year.
This exciting collaboration will feature reclaimed wood art pieces that complement ecosystem-themed settings throughout the gardens.
Two areas are planned for these magical displays:
STREAM Garden: Imagine the dry stream bed transformed into a dynamic water-inspired installation. Our woodworkers are exploring concepts that depict the movement of water—waves, currents, and flow—potentially combined with a school of wooden fish that appear to be swimming, jumping, and splashing through the garden. These pieces will bring the essence of water to life even in the quiet of winter.
Heritage Garden: Here, we're envisioning an enchanted woodland scene featuring wooden mushrooms crafted from reclaimed Hurricane Helene timber. The centerpiece may be a fairy ring—approximately nine mushrooms with varying sizes around two feet in diameter, forming a magical circle in the garden. Additional smaller clusters of mushrooms could flank the garden's teaching shelter, creating an immersive forest floor experience that delights visitors of all ages.
These Winter Lights installations represent a new dimension of what's possible with salvaged wood—not just functional art like benches, but imaginative, whimsical pieces that transport visitors into different ecosystems and spark wonder during the holiday season. Each piece will continue our mission of transforming Hurricane Helene's fallen trees into art that educates, inspires, and connects our community to nature.
Stay tuned for more details about these winter lights installations as our talented woodworkers bring these concepts to life!
How You Can Be Part of the Story
Attend the October 18 Unveiling: Join us in person to celebrate local artistry and community resilience.
Visit Regularly: After the unveiling, make the bench a regular stop on your Arboretum visits. Every visit honors the legacy of the trees we lost and supports our ongoing mission.
Support Our Mission: Your donations directly support regional woodworkers and artists while funding future Echo installations across Western North Carolina. Visit echoesoftheforest.org to contribute.
Volunteer: Become part of our network, helping to restore art and community in WNC. We need passionate people for events, outreach, and more.
Spread the Word: Share this story on social media using #EchoesOfTheForestWNC and #FromRootsToReflection. Help us amplify our mission and reach more people who care about art, sustainability, and community healing.
A Perfect Setting for Transformation
The North Carolina Arboretum has been cultivating connections between people, plants, and places for more than 35 years. Set amid 434 acres within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, just south of Asheville and adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Arboretum is surrounded by forested coves and meandering creeks in the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains.
It's one of the most beautiful natural settings in America—and it's the perfect backdrop for Chester Shuey's artistry.
When you sit on this bench, you'll be resting on more than just wood. You'll be connecting with a tree that weathered countless storms before Hurricane Helene. You'll be experiencing the vision of a master craftsman who transformed loss into beauty. And you'll be participating in a community's journey from devastation to renewal.
See You at the Arboretum
As we count down to October 18, we're filled with gratitude—for Chester Shuey's artistry and dedication to sustainable craftsmanship, for the NC Arboretum's partnership in hosting these installations, for the trees that gave us this beautiful wood, and for a community that continues to show resilience and creativity in the face of unprecedented challenges.
From storm-damaged timber to stunning artwork. From loss to legacy. From devastation to beauty.
This is what Echoes of the Forest is all about.
We'll see you on the Grand Garden Promenade on October 18. Bring a friend, take a seat, and become part of the story.
Echoes of the Forest is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Asheville, NC, that takes salvaged Hurricane Helene trees and repurposes them into art by regional woodworkers and artists. We educate the public about this significant 1,000-year geological event while supporting artists and communities in recovery. For more information, visit echoesoftheforest.org or contact Liisa Andreassen at info@echoesoftheforest.org or 828-273-3096.
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