Birds at Work (2019)
Above the Florence Thomas Art School Sign, you will find “Birds at Work”. This Mural was painted in 2019 by Joni Ray. While Joni Ray did work for Florence School of the Arts for 7 years, she can now be found serving as the Executive Director of the Ashe County Arts Council.Florence Thomas was an American Impressionist Painter here in the High Country. After studying at the Morris School of Design for Women in Philadelphia, PA as well as various classes and workshops on the east coast, Florence continued her dedication to the arts here in Ashe county. She began to share what she had learned with others by holding classes in her basement, making art accessible to her friends and neighbors in the High Country. Florence Thomas’ legacy lives on through the non-profit Florence Art School in front of you. It is here that many of her paintings are held, as well as where many programs and workshops take place.
Rich Hill Baptist Church (2022)
Rich Hill Baptist Church is located in Creston, NC. This mural highlights artist Stephen Shoemaker's ability to incorporate his murals into the architecture of the space that they occupy. With a subtle color palette, the imagery blends seamlessly with the original color of the block wass of the building it is on. This mural was commissioned by the owner of the building. Look closely and you will see the NC state bird as a pop of color in the mural.
Heritage
This mural may be hard to spot at first because of the mimicked stonework design. The front of the building is faced with locally sourced stone from Grandfather Mountain. This building originally served as a car dealership, you can see this reflected in the vintage cars and old advertisements depicted within the mural.
New River Traditions (1998)
This mural was painted in 1998 by Marianne DiNapoli-Mylet, with the assistance of Andy Kruth and Megan Kolseth. This piece pays homage to Appalachian Culture in Ashe County through the use of a few iconic images. Set on the banks of the New River, our eyes are first drawn to the two musicians. These figures are representative of the people seen at fiddlers conventions and the bluegrass music scene. We can also see the iconic Virgina Creeper railway and of course a cow representing the dairy industry. The family shown fishing on the river are actually the artist’s husband and two daughters with Marianne seated on a picnic blanket nearby. Do you practice any traditions specific to the place where you’re from?
This One (2023)
This one's for our people of the hills and the hollers. The ones who've been here a long time and are rooted indeed. It's for the ones who farmed long before the buzzword sustainable was tossed around. The s word then was survival and everybody was doing it. It's for the ones who hunted and fished not as hobby or sport, but for food and still do. It's for the families who have a little tobacco allotment and use that money to pay their taxes, buy their kids new shoes, and have a simple Christmas. It's for the ones who grew the corn and buckwheat, and the ones who ran the mills and steels.It's for the Ginseng Hunters, the Berry Pickers, the Healers, the Loggers, and the ones every neighbor could count on if you got in the mess. It's for the ones buried on the hillsides in family cemeteries and the ones carrying their names still today and keeping the mountain ways alive.This one's for the locals like us.
Train to Nowhere
Stephen Shoemaker is known for his artworks depicting trains. This mural is his most recent work, the stone arch is inspired by the tunnel at Cone Manor on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You may notice one of the framing stones has since fallen. Stephen says he prefers for his murals not to be touched up, he'd rather them fade away just like the artists themselves do eventually.
Tree of Appalachia
Tree of Appalachia was commissioned by local business owners, Third Day Market. This interactive mural invites the view to step up to the swing and take a photograph, becoming part of the artwork. Artist Whitney Landwhermann was inspired by the local flora and fauna while creating this mural. She chose key aspects of the subject matter in honor of her grandmother.
New River Passage (2011)
Painted in 2011 by Clayton Proctor, “New River Passage” is located on State Street.This mural has the Ashe County Trifecta: The New River, Evergreen Trees, and of course The Blue Ridge Mountains.The work shows a person canoeing on the river, what is your favorite outdoor activity Ashe County has to offer?
Weathered Pines
Weathered Pines was painted by R.T Morgan in 2003 and funded in part by the Ashe County Revitalization Committee. Weathered Pines is the second mural to be painted in this location. With buildings changing and being renovated, the murals sometimes have to change with them. It is also common for public art and murals to increase the property value of a building.
Wings and Things (2004)
The Wings and Things mural on the side of the Cheese Plant Production Building was created in 2004 to mark the 100th year anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. The First Flight Foundation partnered with the North Carolina Museum of Art to commission a piece of public art in every state county.While Artists Earle Klutz Thompson and Raines Thompson designed the rural farm scene, this mural was a true community effort. Over 125 students and community volunteers lent a hand over the course of a three day weekend. The side of the building was gridded off and groups chose which section they wished to spend 30-minutes painting.The elements of the mural are reflective of both the history of Ashe county as well as the history of North Carolina. The ducks in flight represent the history of the Wright brothers while the cow represents the dairy industry here in Ashe County.
Poppies (2016)
On the corner of East Main Street and School Ave you can find a pocketful of Poppies.At this site in 1996, the first mural in Downtown West Jefferson was created by Jack Young and titled “History of Ashe County as Told through the Seasons” It was funded by McFarland and Company in thanks to Robbie Franklin. Robbie made it happen, and the Arts Council jumped on the bandwagon to fund, create, and market additional murals for the town’s public art. As they say, the rest is history!Since 2016, “Poppies” by Raney Rogers has resided on this wall. Raney’s work has an emphasis on the local flora and fauna that grow right in our backyard here in North Carolina. She is quoted on her website saying” I have always believed art is how you live your life and that your life is the most important creation that you can achieve.”
Christmas Trees (2022)
Along the back wall of this area, you’ll see a Christmas Tree Farm! Painted by David Shoemaker in 2022, the scene is very familiar to Ashe County. Ashe County is the largest Christmas Tree producing county in the United states. It is also the county to have sent the most Christmas trees to the White House, 7 so far! On the barn, you can see a barn quilt. Did you know Ashe County Arts Council has a barn quilt tour with over a hundred locations?
Let There be Peace in the Valley (2015)
Pete Benda and his wife, Judy have lived in Fleetwood since 2001. Pete recalls frequently passing the blank wall of the post office and remarking “That would be a good place for a mural!”In the summer of 2015, he walked into the post office to ask about painting the side of the building and was given the contact of the owner who lives in Wilkesboro. After submitting a preliminary sketch, he gained approval to start his project. Each day, as the sun would begin to set behind the buildings, Pete would paint. He had the support of his community behind him, with his friends Tim & Susie Donahue lending him a ladder and the Ashe County Arts Council providing him with paint. His Wife was by his side throughout the whole process, holding the ladder steady, and passing him paintbrushes. They would welcome the occasional curious community member, Pete even recalled meeting other local artists and exchanging notes. The work itself is based off of a smaller painting Pete completed for the 100th anniversary of the neighboring New River Calvary Church. The scene depicts the South Fork of the New River with the church situated at the head of the bend. A canoeist paddles upstream, with acres of round hay bales to the right. On the left, a group of Cyclists cruise by on a paved path. This scene captures the wonderful and peaceful nature of the New River Valley. Can you think of a place where you feel most at peace?
Olde Towne Natives (2023)
On the side of Jefferson’s Town Hall, you can find a colorful and vibrant arrangement ofNC and Ashe County native species. In 2023, artist Whitney Stuart Landwhermann,who hails from Ashe County and has kin folk from Jefferson, painted the Town’s firstbona-fide mural.In the background of the mural, you’ll see an extension of scenic Mount Jefferson.When standing at the top of Academy St. next to Town Hall, you can see how the artistpainted the mountain line to extend with the natural lines into the mural – a delightfuland brilliant move from Landwhermann. Within the piece, you’ll find a striking array ofnative and sentimental species to the area – from Flaming Azaleas, Coneflowers,Morrel Mushrooms and even a Red-bellied woodpecker! With the State Park being inthe backdrop of the mural, the vision was celebrate the diverse wildlife and naturalbeauty that the area has to offer.
Lansing (2012)
Aurelien J. Tremblay, was an Artist who spent most of his career as an industrial painter within construction, maintaining bridges and buildings. He picked up his artistic renderings again after the death of the love of his life, Joy. In Doug Munroe’s Painters and Their Paintings: Ashe County, North Carolina, Frenchy recalled how a year and a half after the passing of his wife, “She came to me in a dream and told me to look in the closet,”. After waking, he ventured to the closet and found a box full of his old paints, canvases, and brushes. “I knew it was time.” he said, and got to work painting.
Ola Belle Reed (2022)
In 2021, a $2500 Jane Lonon Legacy Fund Grant was awarded to the Greater Lansing Area Development (GLAD) organization for a community mural honoring Lansing, NC native and American folk singer and songwriter, Ola Belle Reed. The GLAD Mural project engaged local artists Whitney Landwehrmann and Joni Ray to create the community mural.
Train at Jefferson Station (2005)
This Mural depicts a contemporary art deco style train with silhouetted figures. This mural recognizes what this building used to serve as: a train station. Beginning in 1915, the Norfolk and Western Railway Company railroad operated for about 62 years in Ashe County. . When the route was created, the railway company made the decision to bypass Jefferson, and instead opt for the small community of West Jefferson to pass through. This decision lead to dramatic growth for West Jefferson, and it's eventual official establishment. With the train making daily trips to Todd for lumber and other supplies, West Jefferson’s economy significantly increased with the formation of lumber companies, banks, and other businesses.
The Lord's Supper
Glendale Springs is home to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the site of Ben Long’s life-size depiction of The Last Supper. Painted in 1980, “The Lord’s Supper” resides behind the Altar at Holy Trinity. Local community members modeled for all the biblical figures with the exceptions of the waiting maid, Judas, and Christ. The artist, Ben Long, modeled for Thomas. He also added a dedication to his father at the right of the foot washing bowl who passed away as the fresco was being completed. To learn more or make contribution to the Ashe County Frescoes Foundation, visit https://www.ashefrescoes.org/
The Mystery of Faith
Internationally renowned fresco artist, Ben Long created works in 2 Ashe County Churches in the 1970’s. His first frescoes were done in Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church near West Jefferson. This work includes depictions of Mary Great with Child, John the Baptist, and The Mystery of Faith. The Frescoes are a large tourist attraction for Ashe County, drawing thousands of visitors to the high country each year. To learn more or make a contribution to the Ashe County Frescoes Foundation, visit https://www.ashefrescoes.org/
New River @ Wagoner
The Jane Lonon Legacy Fund was established in 2019, to recognize and honor the dedication and hard work of Jane Lonon, retired Executive Director of the Ashe County Arts Council with the mission of expanding on Lonon’s success in the development of the arts in Ashe County.In 2020, a $2500 Jane Lonon Legacy Fund Grant was awarded to the Ashe County Connectivity Project for the creation of a mural located on the Park Office Building at the New River State Park, Wagoner Access. The project is the first of a series of murals that will connect the arts and nature with the goal of enhancing tourism, awareness of the county’s natural assets and the local economy.
Unity in Diversity (2006)
In 2006, Marianne DiNapoli-Mylet worked with Ashe Middle School and the local Latino community to create Unity in Diversity, a mural that reflects the cultural landscape of Ashe County by depicting a community scene. Unity, Diversity, Peace, and Tolerance are spelled on the edge of the design, with two white doves brandishing a banner that says Peace in Spanish. The overall design of the mural was inspired by Diego Rivera’s works. This mural was created by using the parachute cloth technique where artists are able to paint the entire mural onto a special fabric before adhering it to the wall. This made collaborating with Ashe Middle School and volunteers from the Latino community a breeze because Marianne just had to roll it up and transport it from one location to the next. This project was funded by the Arts in Education Residency Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, as well as the Ashe Middle School. Additional funding was provided by Handmade in America, West Jefferson Community Partnership, and the Ashe County Arts Council.
Cut at Devil's Stairs (2001)
The Devil’s Stairs is a site along N.C. 88, just east of the community of Warrensville. The spot got its name when the Norfolk & Western Railway (now Norfolk Southern) extended the rail line from Abingdon, Va., into Ashe County, N.C.Around 1914. A section of rock at that bend in the river was dynamited, and the resulting formation resembled a set of giant steps ascending the side of the mountain. The stairs may have been designated as the devil’s because at least one construction worker is said to have been killed in the dynamite blast. But that wasn’t the last tragedy to take place along those tracks. As Stephen was working on the mural, a man stopped by and told him the story of little Hopal Turner, a toddler who tragically lost her life on the tracks of the Virgina Creeper a long time ago in 1945. Within the snow towards the front of the train, you will see a teddy bear Stephen dedicated to Hopal. Her story is part of the legacy of the train and a tribute to the spirit of survival that marks the mountain people of North Carolina’s High Country.
Introduction Page
Welcome to the Extended Mural Tour of Ashe County, brought to you by Ashe County Arts Council.
