One can hear the anguish in Martin DeWitt’s voice as he talks about artists who are suffering. When Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, North Carolina in September, the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers came together with powerful force. The flooding devastated Asheville’s entire River Artist District.

DeWitt, who lived and worked in the Asheville area for more than a decade, had followed the hurricane’s path. “It wiped out the first and second floors of galleries and shops … the water totally demolished them,” he said. “Over 20 galleries and studios … the artwork of over 200 artists, were all destroyed.” The artists were DeWitt’s friends and colleagues.

It wasn’t just their livelihood that was affected, “It was their entire lives,” Dewitt said. “It was their families, their homes, and for some everything they own.” It’s been weeks since the floods, but he hasn’t forgotten the people.

DeWitt said he can’t ignore the devastation. He’s taking action. In partnership with Lizzards Art Gallery in Duluth, he’s reduced the price of his paintings by 30 percent and a portion of the sales will be donated to the Asheville cause. “In a small way, I’m helping support the disaster fund for the River Arts District,” he said. DeWitt will also donate to GoFundMe pages for individuals artists.

“Blue Mound View – near Buffalo Ridge”

DeWitt is a professor emeritus in the School of Art & Design at Western Carolina University in North Carolina and is the founding director and former curator of the Fine Art Museum there, serving from 2003 to 2010. Previously he was director and curator of the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota Duluth, serving from 1986 to 2003. He attended Illinois State University and Western Illinois University.

It’s not a surprise to hear about DeWitt’s efforts to lend a hand. As director and curator of the Tweed, he was well known for championing emerging artists and calling attention to Northern Minnesota’s creative community.

DeWitt has used his art to support good causes many times. Just recently, his painting, “Aspire” was auctioned off at a fundraiser for the Duluth Armory Arts & Music Center.

“Light Color Space – variation”

Over the years, DeWitt has juggled his career as an artist with his positions in higher education and museum management. One story from 1986, the first year he lived in Duluth, has followed him to 2024. In 1986 he was hired as the coordinator of exhibitions and programs for the Tweed Museum of Art.

His first home was “up on 12th Avenue East, in a horrible upper floor apartment.” He was preparing for a show in Illinois. “I was working up there in that hot attic. All of a sudden I heard this … low drumming sound.” He found out he was hearing the Ni-Mi-Win Powwow at Spirit Mountain. He was awestruck and moved to be so near to a spiritual celebration of the Anishinaabe people of the area.

“My Duluth” – inspired by Lake Superior and Ni-Mi-Win Pow Wow”

“I knew this was Native country, but I didn’t realize I’d be embedded in it. And just hearing [the ceremony] and learning about it was quite an inspiration for me and my work.”

The sounds coming from Spirit Mountain to Downtown Duluth that day flooded DeWitt with memories. He thought about “ancient images” inspired from his earlier travels, “the presence of a vibrant indigenous community, and the dramatic Lake Superior.” These things took hold in his work.

Portal

“One of the first pieces I did here was “My Duluth.” He took the painting to the Rockford exhibit and it is now in a private Duluth collection. The image still resonates. Screen prints of DeWitt’s  “My Duluth” painting are available at Lizzards.

DeWitt’s Duluth studio

DeWitt’s work is inspired by the wonders of the natural world and the human condition. He has  exhibited his paintings dozens of times over the years and has garnered high praise throughout his career.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate a special event at Lizzards Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. Lizzards is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to host a Small Business Social. See the Lizzards Gallery Instagram site for info. The event will highlight “Small Works” by 45 area artists who are selling “bite-sized” original art for $150 or less. Three new Martin DeWitt paintings will also be part of the event. There’s more: a book signing, an album launch, as well as new stained glass and jewelry.

Martin and Sharon at Palenque, a Mayan ruin

Cheryl Reitan is a freelance writer in Duluth.