Events
Unveilings, gatherings, and celebrations across Western North Carolina — where the Echoes come to life.
On Veterans Day, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans will be honored with a new memorial bench — carved from storm-salvaged timber that once stood in the mountain forests they called home.
The bench is being crafted by Mike Ayers of Whetstone Woodworks — himself a veteran — for permanent installation at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. There could be no more fitting day than November 11 to honor those who served. Time and additional details forthcoming.
Upcoming
UNCA Lot P34, 275 Edgewood Rd, Asheville · Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 8 AM–Noon
We're back at WNC's longest-running producer-only farmers market. Visit our table for small handcrafted pieces made by local woodworkers and learn about the trail of Echoes installations growing across Western North Carolina.
Wall Street · Downtown Asheville · Saturday, October 24, 2026 · 10 AM–3 PM
Find us downtown and get a head start on holiday shopping. Stop by our table for handcrafted pieces made from Hurricane Helene salvaged wood by our local woodworkers, and hear the stories behind the wood.
Asheville Regional Airport · Baggage Claim · Thursday, November 5, 2026 · 10 AM–2 PM
Passing through AVL? We will be handing out 500 free handcrafted ornaments to the first 500 passengers in baggage claim, made by Mike Ayers of Whetstone Woodworks from Hurricane Helene salvaged wood. Our friends at the Cradle of Forestry will be there too.
Enter to win: On Friday, November 6, the airport will share photos from the day on social media, along with a giveaway of a topographic art piece by Mickey Strivelli. Sign up through the Asheville airport website for your chance to win.
Look up at the gates: From Monday, November 16 through Monday, November 23, Echoes of the Forest will be featured on the LCD gate monitors throughout the terminal.
Charles George VA Medical Center · Asheville, NC · 11 AM
The unveiling of a memorial bench for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans, crafted by Mike Ayers of Whetstone Woodworks from Hurricane Helene–salvaged timber, on Veterans Day.
Beacon Park · Swannanoa, NC
Echoes of the Forest is in conversation with the Beacon Foundation about a future collaboration at Beacon Park — the former Beacon Blanket Mill site in Swannanoa. More details will be shared as plans take shape.
Past Events
September 26, 2026
The North Carolina Arboretum · Asheville, NC
Echoes of the Forest had a table at the Arboretum's annual Fall Plant Sale and Market, sharing small handcrafted pieces by our woodworkers and the stories behind the wood.
September 5, 2026
Cradle of Forestry in America · Pisgah National Forest
Mike Ayers of Whetstone Woodworks carved live at the Cradle of Forestry September 2–4, and the finished Carved Critter Walk carvings were unveiled at TimberFest on Saturday, September 5. Permanent installation along the Forest Discovery Trail will follow in a future season.
August 8, 2026
Folk Art Center · Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville
Echoes of the Forest joined the Southern Highland Craft Guild for Wood Day, a full day of woodworking demonstrations featuring master woodworkers of the Guild and the Carolina Woodturners. Our table drew a steady crowd of visitors learning how Helene-salvaged timber is being transformed into public art across Western North Carolina.
June 19, 2026
YMI Cultural Center · Asheville, NC
On Juneteenth, Kwadwo Som-Pimpong of Crafted Glory unveiled a bench at the YMI Cultural Center — crafted from an oak log sourced by Bee Tree Hardwoods, a tree that fell in Swannanoa during Helene and washed downstream.
May 8, 2026
Legacy Garden · North Buncombe Elementary School
Mike Ayers unveiled a memorial installation in the Legacy Garden — a permanent tribute to Felix Wisely, age 9, Lucas Wisely, age 7, their mother Alison, and her fiancé Knox, lost during Hurricane Helene.
April 4, 2026
Cane Creek Park · Fletcher, NC
The unveiling of Mike Ayers' chainsaw-carved sculpture marking the reopening of Cane Creek Park — in partnership with Buncombe County Parks & Recreation.
February 14, 2026
Plants of Promise Garden · NC Arboretum
The first 2026 installation — Mark Oliver's memorial bench combining wooden and rock elements, nestled between the Education Center and the Playing Woods.
October 18, 2025
Grand Garden Promenade · NC Arboretum
Chester Shuey's live-edge bench crafted from white oak — the second of three Echo installations at the Arboretum in fall 2025.
September 2025
Playing Woods · NC Arboretum
Mike Ayers' chainsaw-carved box turtle — three feet high by five feet long, with climbable elements for children and families.
June 12, 2025
Foundation Woodworks · River Arts District · Asheville, NC
Chester Shuey of Appalachian Joinery unveiled the first Echo — an 800 lb white oak bench crafted from Hurricane Helene–salvaged timber. Where it all began.
