Asheville Artist Transforms Storm-Damaged Trees into Memorials, Uniting Community Through Art and Nature

Asheville: A Community Unites Through Nature and Art

In the heart of Asheville, a remarkable story of resilience and creativity is unfolding. Local artist and interior designer, Tony Bayles, is channeling his heartbreak into art, using the remains of trees damaged during Tropical Storm Helene to craft stunning memorial structures. With each piece, Bayles not only honors nature but also connects with the community in a deeply meaningful way.

A Call from Nature

It all started with a profound moment in late October when, unable to sleep, Bayles received a vision. It was a tree—an invitation, he felt—calling him to come find it at the downtown YMCA. This wasn’t just any tree; it was one he had sat beneath seven years earlier while visiting Asheville, searching for a quiet moment amid the chaos of the city. That tree, which had provided him solace, was now in distress, but Bayles felt a strong connection, almost like an old friend reaching out.

After discovering that tree on Orchard Street, he experienced a magical moment of inspiration. While intending to write about Black Mountain and its recovery, he found himself unconsciously penning “Beaver Lake,” interpreting it as a sign from the fallen tree emphasizing its intended destination. Within days, in collaboration with eager volunteers, Bayles transformed the tree into a breathtaking 50-foot circular piece resembling three birds with wings, each one a symbol of hope and rebirth.

Honoring Memory and Community

Bayles’s journey with memorial art began back in 2021, when he spearheaded the Blue Ridge Pride event at Pack Square Park. It was here that he adorned a majestic spruce tree with garments from the LGBTQ+ community whom they had lost. “The message of that was: This is the cup of my life. Drink it in,” he recalls, emphasizing the themes of connection, understanding, and mutual support.

When Helene struck, it devastated not just landscapes but also the spirit of the community. Bayles felt a wave of sorrow wash over him when he learned that the very spruce he had celebrated had succumbed to the storm. “I just sat there in the park and cried in my car for like 15 minutes,” he shares. Instead of letting despair take hold, he decided to pay homage to the beloved tree that had once brought so much joy.

A Labor of Love

Returning to Pack Square Park, Bayles found that repair teams had already begun to cut the fallen tree into pieces. Refusing to let it go without recognition, he lovingly arranged the segments into a shape he saw as a circle of conversation, representing all humanity gathered to commune with nature’s spirit. “That’s us having a conversation and looking to the tree for guidance,” he notes, reflecting on the meaning behind his installation.

As days went by, Bayles saw a social media call for a candlelight vigil organized by Asheville City Council member Maggie Ullman. Seizing the opportunity, he reached out to volunteer his services, offering to craft a larger altarpiece from the remaining tree limbs to honor not just Asheville, but also the surrounding communities impacted by the storm.

The Power of Community

With each memorial structure he creates, Bayles has drawn immense emotional responses from residents. Messages of gratitude have poured in from locals, including business owners interested in commissioning their own installations. It’s a testament to the healing power of art and community, as Bayles welcomes those who wish to lend a hand or simply share in his vision. “I just feel inspired to bring us together around a smile for the holidays,” he expresses.

Through his hands, the spirits of fallen trees are transformed into symbols of life and connection, inviting the entire community to participate in a heartfelt tribute to resilience. Each piece pays homage to those we’ve lost, the beauty of nature, and the unyielding strength of the Asheville community.

As Tony continues on this path, it’s clear that creativity, compassion, and a bit of magic from nature are vital components of healing, echoing throughout the heart of Asheville.