Creative Focus
Above: Campus Arts Corridor at Appalachian State University/Sculpture “Breakaway” by Bill Brown; Spruce Pine Potters Market. (Home Page Creative Focus photo: Hellbender Salamander Mural, Boone)
Art Remarks
By CML Staff
This fall, opportunities to enjoy local art are numerous! In addition to the many arts and crafts festivals taking place throughout the region, check out these developments in our local visual arts scene.
Campus Arts Corridor Unveils New Installations
Appalachian State University continues to celebrate the dynamic role of sculpture on campus with the unveiling of new installations for the Campus Arts Corridor in August 2024. This collection features seven sculptures created by artists across North Carolina and New York, marking the second phase of this ongoing project. The sculptures start at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street and extend along a public art pathway into campus.
The Campus Arts Corridor connects the university’s major arts venues, including the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. These two hubs, along with the Valborg Theatre, Chapell Wilson Hall, Wey Hall, and the Broyhill Music Center, form a vibrant arts community on the campus. The Corridor builds on more than three decades of outdoor sculpture programming at App State, reinforcing Boone’s reputation as a cultural destination.
Anchored by the Turchin Center located at the crossroads of Appalachian State University and downtown Boone, the Campus Arts Corridor serves as a bridge between campus and town. The iconic Transit Candy stair mural by Baltimore artists Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn marks the starting point of the Corridor.
This year’s featured sculptures resonate with themes of re-emergence, transformation, social unity, and hopes for a more equitable world. These works not only enrich the campus environment but also engage visitors and the local community in the life of the university.
Sculptures and exhibiting artists include: “Golden Arch” by Jim Galluci (Greensboro, NC); “Seeing Beyond” by Mary Anne Prack (Jefferson, NC); “Raven” by Vandorn Hinnant (East Grimesland, NC); “Coming Around” by Robert Winkler (Asheville, NC); “Breakaway” by Bill Brown (Linville Falls, NC); “Nexus” by Sam Spickza(Apex, NC); and “Martyr Dress” by Jennifer Hecker (Brockport, NY).
These sculptures will be on display for two years. For more information, visitors can scan the QR code on the signage next to each sculpture, visit TCVA.org, or stop by the Turchin Center front desk for a sculpture guide.
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, named for university benefactors Robert and Lillian Turchin, is the largest visual arts facility in the region. The center offers dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and serves as a vital cultural resource for the university and the community. Located at 423 West King St. in Boone, the Turchin Center is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and Saturday, and 12-8 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. For more information, visit TCVA.org or follow the Turchin Center on Facebook and Instagram @TurchinCenter.
Hellbender Salamander Mural Unveiled in Boone
On August 23, one of the newest—and most eye-catching—pieces of public art in the High Country was officially unveiled. The Hellbender Mural, located at 140 South Depot Street in Downtown Boone, is part of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Endangered Species Mural Project. The Project works with artists, scientists, and organizers to bring endangered wildlife onto the streets of cities and towns around the country.
Boone’s mural was painted by Josh Johnston, an artist based in Boone (@joshjohnstonart/) specializing in custom murals and 2D artworks, and was made possible through a partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association, MountainTrue, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, and the Watauga Arts Council.
The Center for Biological Diversity noted, “Just as nature inspires art, art inspires actions to defend wild places and the wild creatures that live in them. With this in mind, these murals are imagined as tools to help celebrate local endangered species within communities, and to encourage people to make connections between conservation and community strength.”
The Boone mural celebrates the long-lived giant hellbender salamander, a state-listed species of special concern, found only in the eastern U.S. Though their numbers have dwindled in recent years, they remain an important organism in our mountain stream ecosystems. “Hellbenders are a vital indicator of water quality,” said Andy Hill, MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper. “This mural will inspire both residents and visitors to appreciate and safeguard our natural resources.”
In addition to the Eastern Hellbender, the mural features a variety of flora and fauna found in our High Country region, including native brook trout, an Eastern box turtle, a kingfisher, sugar maples, flowering dogwoods and more.
The Town of Boone stated, “Thank you to the Center for Biological Diversity for allowing the Town of Boone to be a part of the #endangeredspeciesmuralproject trail and designating Boone as the official ‘Hellbender Town.’ Thank you to the Watauga Riverkeeper for continuing the conservation efforts that have helped our ‘snot otter’ friends thrive here in Boone! We also want to thank Watauga Arts Council and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts for the continued support of public art in Downtown Boone.”
Want to help with hellbender conservation efforts? Report any hellbender observations to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission by submitting photographs of your observations, along with date and location, to [email protected].
New Boone Heritage Monument Honors Founders and Developers
The Boone Heritage Monument, a community-based project created by famed artist Brenda Councill, is nearing its final stages and will soon be a welcomed addition to the historic landscape of Boone.
Councill, whose work includes public art sculpture and large scale murals, created the monument in her Blowing Rock studio. The design includes three life-size bronze portraits of representative pioneers which crown the top of the stone monument; founding Boone families, organizations and businesses are prominently displayed on four large bronze plaques below. This monument honors all of the early Appalachian pioneer families and African Americans whose courage, strength, and hard work laid the foundation upon which the town was built.
The monument’s permanent location will be at the historic Dan’l Boone Inn Restaurant where onsite construction is in its final stages. Financial support and in-kind donations from descendants of early families, individuals, businesses and organizations have made this project possible.
Supporter Mary Bohlen, President of the NC Daniel Boone Heritage Trail stated, “Our organization is honored to be part of this worthy endeavor.” Loretta Clawson stated, “As former Mayor of Boone, I would like to say that I think this public art sculpture will be a great addition to our town.” Regional and state historians and genealogists have worked with the supporters to insure accuracy and to narrate the history, educational and cultural significance of the Appalachian region.
Councill stated, “My vision is to commemorate the brave, courageous and industrious spirit of the pioneers. The representative bronze busts evoke the determined self-reliance of the early American founders and settlers who developed the frontier town of Boone, North Carolina.”
While visiting The Boone Heritage Monument, visitors will be able to read brief portions from the vast history of Boone while standing in and near historic sites referenced on the bronze plaques. The monument will be dedicated this fall.
For more information, visit councill.net.
Big Things Happening in Mountain City
Our friends over at the Johnson County Center for the Arts in Mountain City, TN, have BIG news to share with art patrons this season.
For starters, the Center held their Grand Opening of their expansive new Gallery on Main on August 30! This beautiful property is now the gallery and gift shop’s primary home, with an additional classroom, special events gallery, maker space, and even a studio space for working artists. Their original Heritage Square location (College St.) will house an Arts Education Center with space for larger classes, events, a pottery studio and the frame workshop.
“The community has been so supportive to bring this dream to life with the new Gallery on Main,” said organizers. The Grand Opening took place in conjunction with The Long Journey Home Musical Heritage Festival and the unveiling of a brand new mural, titled ‘Mountain Elixir.’ This large-scale work features the history of the Medicine Shows and Tom Ashley’s music. Cristy Dunn, Lewis Chapman, JP Burnham, Jacob Proffitt and Temple Reece were the mural artists. The ‘Mountain Elixer’ mural completes the Musical Heritage Mural series and marks a decade of murals in downtown Mountain City.
Several art shows are also underway at the Center for the Arts, including The Edge Effect Show and Plein Air Show. The Edge Effect Show is an Invitational Show featuring artists’ collaborative efforts—it runs through September 28. The Plein Air Show features artwork depicting the area’s “Cultural Heritage” that was created within the past year by participating local artists. These paintings will be on display at the Center for the Arts throughout the month of October.
The Plein Air show opens with a reception for artists and a Wet Paint Sale on Friday, October 4, from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments and live music as ribbons and monetary prizes are awarded to first, second, and third places for the adult and youth divisions.
Learn more about all the latest happenings at Johnson County Center for the Arts at jocoartcenter.org.
The 16th Annual Spruce Pine Potters Market
In the beautiful western NC mountains, scattered in Mitchell and Yancey counties, live and work some of the finest nationally and internationally known clay artists in the field today. SPPM is an annual weekend gathering, organized collaboratively by clay artists, that always takes place on the second weekend in October. This year’s event will be held October 12-13 at the Cross Street Building, 31 Cross Street, Spruce Pine, NC.
SPPM’s beautiful venue, a former textile factory with large windows, high ceilings, wooden beams and floors emphasizes the open, informal displays of artwork and encourages interaction. Artists and enthusiasts look forward to lively visits and conversations that strengthen relationships between makers and collectors.
This year, Spruce Pine Potters are delighted to welcome exciting, new artist members. Andy Palmer creates works that encompass a wide range of techniques including pit-fired, low fire oxidation, and high temperature wood and soda firing. His forms are figuratively inspired and tactilely appealing. “Because my main love is with experimentation and clay/ firing/ process testing, I have got to be the most inconsistent ceramicist I know,” he quips. “But I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Daniel Garver, originally from Wisconsin, moved to Mitchell County, attracted by opportunities to work with local potters. “I am very excited the SPPM group is open to include artists such as myself that are working on the edges of traditional North Carolina pottery. I believe in this community, the ability to work alongside and together with one another has created an atmosphere that is thriving.”
Julie Wiggins grew up in Jacksonville, NC, and began her clay journey in 1997. Julie forms her elegant utilitarian pieces from porcelain clay using a combination of wheel thrown and hand built techniques, and fires in an electric kiln. Julie describes her work as “mindfully handmade pots and wares for the home, inviting touch and curiosity.” In 2022, Julie received “Best in Show” at the Mint Museum’s Potters Market.
Kurt Anderson’s unique ceramic pieces are primarily made from mid-range red clay, covered with white slip, decorated with underglazes, finished with clear glaze, and fired in an electric kiln. “What I love most about living in this area is the knowledge that when I’m in my studio grinding away to meet a deadline, dozens of other artists are in their studios grinding away to meet deadlines. It makes me feel as if we are all silently encouraging each other.”
Stormie Burns creates colored porcelain vessels with a focus on double walled/hollowed forms. Burns says, “By drawing from my personal vocabulary of form and shape, my work often holds a softness and sharpness at the same time.”
SPPM artists practice a wide variety of techniques and processes, aesthetics and styles. On exhibit, you’ll find sculpture, functional pottery, large to small scale work, work suitable for everything from kitchen cabinets and tables to mantels and walls. The Spruce Pine Potters Market has become a wildly popular event, attracting local and regional visitors as well as those who travel long distances to attend. The show provides a unique opportunity to visit with and collect from exceptional clay artists, each offering a large, fresh selection of their finest work. It’s a “neighborhood show of national significance.” Admission is free. sprucepinepottersmarket.com