Black Mountain Offers 2nd Annual Sculpture Stroll

Art and artists abound here in Black Mountain, our town of less than 10,000 folks. There are painters, potters, wood turners, sculptors, fabric artists, photographers and more for whom art is either a vocation or avocation. Local artist groups are open to membership or participation for artists, and shows of their work are often available at local galleries, the library, the Arts Center, restaurants and more. But for sculptors, whose work is usually larger than a gallery can accommodate, an opportunity to participate in a group show is not as often available. For the second year the Recreation and Parks Department, the Town Beautification Committee and the Black Mountain Center for the Arts are co-sponsoring an outdoor sculpture stroll of 3-dimensional work by local artists. The pieces are installed at four separate locations in town, enticing visitors and locals alike to seek them out to enjoy.

Starting at the Town Hall on Midland Avenue just behind the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, the artist Guilia has installed two pieces, Three Friends, and Blue Bird. From there the tour extends to the public garden on Cherry Street where Dan Howachyn of Black Mountain Ironworks has the piece, Mitsubishi Man. Travel either by car or foot to the garden at the back of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, located in the original City Hall at 225 W. State Street to view In the Absence of Reality by sculptor and designer Julia Burr, who recently installed the sculptural wall on the observation point of Pack Square Park. A three-block trip up Daugherty Street to Connally Street will take you to Lake Tomahawk Park where three sculptures are in place: Tree of Life by Tekla, co-owner of Black Mountain Ironworks, and Fish by Dave Taylor, both of which are installed in the lake, and Tres Globos by Carro, which is near the children’s playground.

Local merchants, groups and individuals provided sponsorship for the sculptors. These include three dentists, Drs.Tom Cannon, Richard Weideman and Barbara Bowman-Hensley, Don and Harriet Herrick, Greybeard Realty, Seven Sisters Gallery, Acoustic Corner, Divine Connection, the Black Mountain Beautification Committee, and a group of Downtown Merchants. Matching up sponsors with the art and artists gives a true community feel to the sculpture stroll, as both townsfolk and out-of-towners can enjoy the sculptures and appreciate the generosity of the donors who made it happen. A special word of thanks is due to Jim Orr, former Director of the Recreation and Parks Department for his work to have the pieces and signage installed, and for that department’s work on the brochure that can be picked up at various locations in town.

The Black Mountain Sculpture Stroll will be on display through the fall and winter. For more information contact the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 828/669-0930.