Asheville, NC \u2014 On January 10, 2026, the historic YMI Cultural Center will open \u201cPortraits of Dignity: Do You See Me Now?,\u201d a compelling new body of figurative work by Asheville-based painter Joseph Pearson. Steeped in empathy, social realism, and decades of artistic discipline, this exhibition invites viewers to reconsider how society sees\u2014or fails to see\u2014the individuals who are so often overlooked.<\/p>\n
Rooted in close observation and an unyielding respect for humanity, \u201cPortraits of Dignity\u201d offers a profound encounter with people whom society often consigns to the periphery. Each portrait becomes a moment of connection, asking viewers to slow down, look closer, and witness the dignity, complexity, and presence of individuals too often unseen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are people we see peripherally, people we pass by,\u201d says Pearson. \u201cDoing this work required me to truly see them\u2014to pay attention to their eyes, their expressions, the uniqueness of who they are. The question is simple: Do you see me now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Pearson\u2019s mission is to open folks\u2019 awareness to our neighbors, considered on the fringe of our communities. A portion of any sale will be donated to favorite non-profits, like Pisgah Legal Services and MANNA Food Bank. Joseph and his wife Gael hope folks will consider doing the same if they have not already done so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Asheville, NC \u2014 On January 10, 2026, the historic YMI Cultural Center will open \u201cPortraits of Dignity: Do You See Me Now?,\u201d a compelling new body of figurative work by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":86131,"template":"","meta":{"_tribe_events_status":"","_tribe_events_status_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"tribe_events_cat":[],"class_list":["post-86124","tribe_events","type-tribe_events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n