ASHEVILLE - On Aug. 7, more than 10 months since Tropical Storm Helene, an Asheville artist received a surprise that would change the course of his career.

Wicked Weed Brewing selected illustrator, screenprinter and painter Matthew Decker as the grand prize winner of its inaugural “You Deserve An Upgrade” contest, awarding the local artist with $10,000 for the recovery of his studio.

"It's overwhelming, and I'm feeling grateful to be supported by the community at this point down the line. It's been almost a year since the storm, and it's been challenging," Decker said.

Decker's studio was submerged by about 25 feet of floodwater, taking the brunt from the French Broad River when it rose a record 24.67 feet during Helene last September.

For nearly five years, he'd worked out of the Foun

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