The image of Antioch Baptist Church being washed away by the flood waters from Hurricane Helene's was taken by Benjamin Price.
On the morning of Friday, Sept. 27, Hurricane Helene crossed over Johnson County and with its high winds and record rainfall, it left behind changes that will affect area residents for years to come.
The storm toppled the Heritage Oak tree that stood in Cunningham Park. This 320-year-old oak was recently recognized as one of Tennessee's largest trees and many Johnson County residents have shared fond memories of times spent beneath it. Town and county officials as well as residents have looked for ways to use its wood to memorialize the majestic oak.
The hurricane’s flood waters carved away mountainsides, roads and homes. Many people have seen the photograph Benjamin Price took of Antioch Baptist Church, at Hwy. 421 and Antioch Rd., being washed away. This was Price’s church, where he and many of his family members worshiped and were baptized. His grandfather helped build the church and his mother’s home was one of many that were destroyed or damaged by the flood.
Stories like these can be heard across Johnson County as people look for ways to rebuild and remember.
“Creating art is one of the most powerful tools we have for processing change and grieving loss,” said Cristy Dunn, Johnson County Center for the Arts Executive Director.
The Center for the Arts is issuing a call to all local artisans to create works in any medium for a show in May 2025 entitled “What Was, What Is, and What Ever Shall Be.”
“This show will be a documentation of what we have been through, a celebration of the resilience of our community, and a thank you to the many, many people who have done so much to help in the recovery effort,” said Dunn.
Johnson County photographer John Jackson, who has taken many photos of the Heritage Oak over the years, hopes to portray the history and cultural significance that has occurred in its 300 plus year life span.
Artist Lewis Chapman says, “I am awed by the sheer power of nature, its moving and changing of our landscape in just a moment of time.”
By announcing this community art show now, the Center for the Arts hopes to give participants time to process and create. Art submission due dates will be announced in the near future.
