LENOIR, N.C. – The work of artists a century-old, local craftspeople and authors will be the focus of Grassroots Appalachia’s three-day opening exhibit: “An Exploration: Creating Conditions Favorable for Community Living” next Tuesday – Thursday, Aug. 18-20. The exhibit will remain open to the public until Saturday, Sept. 5.
Tuesday, Aug. 18: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Opening Reception
The exhibit will begin with an Art Exhibit Reception on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.. This opening event is intentionally reflective of our purpose and passion. The art exhibit considers people and places from the past through the storytelling brush strokes of Fred Boger (1857-1936), a painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Work from two of his contemporaries will be displayed as well.
A well known work, “Highland Mist” was painted by Thomas C. Blake (1890 – unknown). Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Blake studied there at the National Academy, was awarded a scholarship, studied and traveled extensively on the Continent, returned to his native country in 1914 and concentrated on paintings of the highlands of Scotland and was greatly influenced by the works of English artist, Alfred de Breanski. He moved to he U.S.A in 1930. There are no records of his death.
M. R. Sonneberg was a student of Fred Boger. Little is known of Sonneberg. In these three watercolors from our family collection, the blues and yellows dominate the scheme, yet simultaneously enhance the other colors and elements. They are likely about 100-years-old. Learn more here.
Wednesday, Aug. 19: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Hands-on arts, crafts and Appalachian traditions
Beginning about 11:00 and going through 2 p.m., Karin Davidson will be weaving, teaching and giving others an opportunity to have hands-on experience. The results will be a community tapestry. The display will remain in place throughout the exhibit.
At 2 p.m., Gretchen Griffith will be teaching a Fly Tying mini lesson and discussing her book, “Southern Fly Tyers.” She will be joined with special guests David Anders and James Henson. She will also be featuring fly fishing books written with Ron Beane and Alen Baker.
Griffith has been instrumental in capturing Appalachian culture through numerous oral history projects. Her many narrative nonfiction books range in topics from fly fishers to schoolhouse memories to moonshine and wagon wheels. Her interest in making the stories she collected public comes from the realization that the past must be preserved and passed along to new generations. She is a former teacher with experience from Head Start five-year olds, through multiple grade levels to freshmen at Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College in North Carolina. Contact her at www.gretchengriffith.com
Wednesday evening, from 6:30 – 8, Amber Shoemake will be hosting what she describes as “A fun and relaxed time to create art while exploring the uses, parts and purposes of plants.” She explained, “You will be able to use mixed media and leave with a personal art piece as well as further knowledge about the beauty of flowers.” She said the plants and flowers art class will display real flowers for discussion, sharing, and giving away. “We can discuss the variety and talk about how without the flowers plants would not continue to produce offspring,” shared Shoemake.
Also, she says, each participant is invited to paint a small glass vase with markers and paints. “As time permits we can create actual 3D flower from clay for our vases while discussing the Sunlight, Water, Flower, Stem, and Leaves.” She added, “We can discuss what seeds need to survive. We can paint a rock with acrylic paints to use as a paint marker while discussing retrieving the seeds from each flower and planting in a suitable location for Spring 2027. Some participants may choose to decorate the vase with beads wire and ribbon.
The cost is $15, but all supplies are provided. Shoemake shared, “Just bring yourself and a good attitude and we will create together. Whatever your age, preferences and chosen medium you can leave happy and have an art piece to enjoy. Go to Porch Perfect Facebook to sign up or just come.”
Thursday, Aug. 20: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Focus on Caldwell County authors and books
Beginning at 11:30, the Foothills Writing Group will introduce themselves, share some of their work and have a pot luck lunch of corn bread, greens, sweet tea, lemonade, beans and banana pudding.
From 2 – 3:30 p.m. Gretchen Griffith will join us again. She will be speaking on her books about women, her knowledge of some of the county’s influential women of the past, and tying the importance of women to the Conditions Favorable for Community Living.
We end the day with a multi-media presentation from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., as Tony Deal will be reading from and discussing his book– “But that’s not true!” He will be joined by the illustrator of the book, Tonja Smith.
Our Appalachian Fair Trade Arts & Crafts Gallery
We believe Appalachia’s greatest resource is her people. Helping to create conditions favorable for community life is why Grassroots Appalachia exists. We work to connect and cultivate Appalachian people and traditions in Lenoir and beyond. Grassroots Appalachia is located at 458-B Harper Ave. in Lenoir. We are on the web at grassrootsappalachia.com. We operate a small Appalachian Fair Trade Arts & Crafts store out of the location. A number of artisans will have their artwork and crafts – such as creations from Shoemake’s jewelry collection – in the Appalachian Fair Trade Arts & Crafts Gallery within Grassroots Appalachia.
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© Michael M. Barrick, 2026
Appalachian Chronicle 