By Julie Ann Bell
Spring arrives with warmer weather and the vibrancy of blooms and new growth all around us. For many, spring brings a sense of fresh energy or a desire to try something new. For some, it nudges the soul to contemplate the losses of the past year and perhaps to tackle the lessons learned. This springtime reflection may be particularly evident in Western North Carolina this year.
After the Storm. Li Newton, artist
For those seeking to learn a new art medium or to improve skills, our learning center at Trackside Studios is already bustling with classes in watercolor, needle felting, jewelry, mixed media, sketching and more. One of our March classes, Life After Helene, also offers a chance to express grief, loss, hope and renewal through reclaimed materials. Collage artist Li Newton invites participants to bring copies of photographs and small personal items that can be incorporated into a mixed media creation.
Spring’s invitation to evaluate lessons learned and begin healing for future growth is the theme of our curated exhibit in the Stairway Gallery. Artists Deb Anderson, Li Newton and Micah Usher use their art to express their experience, emotions and thoughts related to the storm. Each piece invites the viewer to also reflect on their own experiences and lessons they hope to take forward.
An assemblage by Anderson centers on a vintage manikin face in contemplation of the mixed emotions of loss and looking ahead. The glass eyes offer a penetrating invitation to join in her reflections. Anderson’s creations were displayed at Foundation Studios and most were not salvageable.
Usher, a professional photographer, captured images near and inside the studio in the days and weeks following the storm. The sense of profound loss coupled with love and resiliency is evident in his poignant image of the building’s owner hugging his daughter at the flood line. Many of Usher’s photographs were on display downtown in September, but those at Trackside Studios were damaged.
For months after the storm, Newton volunteered almost daily in relief kitchens and at studio buildings in the River Arts District. She lost original work, prints and supplies at both Foundation Studios and Trackside Studios. In the new year, she began a large mixed media collage to express and process her feelings and experiences. A sense of community shines through the piece.
A reception for the artists will be held on Saturday, March 8, from 2-4 p.m.
Trackside Studios is located at 375 Depot Street, in Asheville’s River Arts District. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and by appointment. Learn more at TracksideStudios.com.
