Tree of Life Plaque added to Dillsboro Mural "On Hallowed Ground"

January 14 at 12:00 noon in Dillsboro - a special event: the stunning three dimensional "Tree of Life" bronze plaque which was cast and finished by the Jackson County Green Energy Park and Western Carolina University art students will be attached to the Dillsboro historical mural, "On Hallowed Ground." Hanging from the bronze casting will be the permanent metal engraved donor's plaque honoring those who donated to the mural. 

Members of the bronze pour team were:
Timm Muth (GEP Director)
Chelsea Miller (WCU Art Education
Colton Williford (WCU Construction Management)
Kevin McNiff (WCU Ceramics Graduate Program)
Bronze for the tree of life was recovered from melted valve bodies, old bronze artwork, and scraps from previous pours.

The Jackson County Green Energy Park (GEP) is an award-winning project that uses landfill gas (bio-methane), waste wood, and waste vegetable oil as fuel for a series of art studios. GEP facilities currently include the only set of blacksmith forges and metal foundry in the world fueled with landfill gas, an innovative public-access ceramics kiln fired with wood & waste vegetable oil, and one of only three glass shops fired with landfill gas. The GEP hosts public tours and demonstrations, hands-on classes and the renown Youth Arts Festival each September. The GEP seeks to create art and community using renewable energy resources.

The downtown Dillsboro historical mural, painted by Doreyl Ammons Cain, was unveiled on October 6, 2013 during ColorFest. The GEP created the "Tree of Life" plaque as a donation to the mural project.

Learn more on the Dillsboro NC Visitor Guide.

Historical Mural in Dillsboro NC Unveiled

October 5, 10 AM - The town of Dillsboro NC proudly unveils its new historical mural by local artist Doreyl Ammons Cain at the Annual Colorfest: Art and Taste of Appalachia.  The mural, named "On Hallowed Ground", will be placed between the Jarrett House and the Christmas Shop on Haywood Street in downtown Dillsboro NC.

 

The Mural story is based on the unusual founding of Dillsboro NC. With little written history,  research was a challenge for mural artist Doreyl Ammons Cain. Beginning in December 2012 with the help of George Frizzell, Head of Special Collections at the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University; Tyler B. Howe, Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Historic Preservation Specialist and Amy Ammons Garza, Co-Founder of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, the story was pieced together. Like most NC mountain towns, the combination of determined pioneer spirit, the railroad and the native peoples - in this case the Eastern Band of the Cherokee - all made significant contributions to what is now Dillsboro NC.

The unveiling of "On Hallowed Ground" will open ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia. Eastern Band of Cherokee Principle Chief Michel Hicks will be on hand to officially unveil the mural.  Storyteller Freeman Owl will share stories about Chief Nimrod Jarrett Smith and Doreyl Ammons Cain will describe the process of her mural creation. " This mural, On Hallowed Ground,  truly reflects the spirit of Appalachia as one of creativity and courage!" says artist Cain.

For more details about the mural visit the artist's Blog at:  http://colorfestartblog.com/blog1.php

Dillsboro Mural Project on Kickstarter

A mural project called "On Hallowed Ground" by NC Artist Doreyl Ammons Cain is proposed for the town of Dillsboro NC. The project is now on Kickstarter and needs your support to continue. CLICK HERE to get details and make a contribution beginning at $10.

"On Hallowed Ground" will show the interaction of Scotch Irish settlers, the Cherokee Native Americans and the founding of the small town, Dillsboro, NC, in the 1880’s. There are tales of feuds, hardships and Love. All these stories will be painted into the mural within the backdrop of the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
The town of Dillsboro will benefit from this project as it is intended to be a re-awakening of the heart of the town, a journey to being an art destination and a thriving town again. 

It will take 9 months to paint the mural,  planed for completion by October 1, 2013. It will be shear coated with a protectant that will keep the sun’s rays out and retain the color for decades outside. The mural will be placed in Dillsboro and unveiled on October 5th at 10:00 AM to begin the annual ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia festival.

Be a part of this exciting project by pledging your support to make this mural a reality! The money you pledge will be used to buy museum quality mural paint, brushes, preserved mural board and will pay for time doing research, creating a large comprehensive drawing and painting the mural for 9 months.
There will be a 1st edition fine art, museum quality art print made of "On Hallowed Ground" and you will receive one of these 150 limited edition prints with your pledge of $25 or more. If you pledge now you can be assured of a 1st edition art print. For those who pledge after the first 15 days, you will receive a 2nd edition hand signed and numbered fine art print and your name will be on a plaque attached to the mural.
Kickstarter is an 'all or nothing'  online funding resource.  If  the goal of $8000  is not reached between December 4th and January 4, the town will receive none of the pledges and no one will benefit. So pass this Kickstarter site on to your friends and give your support today!