Grassroots Appalachia Opening: Considering how We Create the Community We Desire Despite Our Differences

LENOIR, N.C. – Caldwell County’s new privately-owned Art & Crafts Gallery, Grassroots Appalachia, is opening for business tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 18 with a reception at 6:30 p.m. The Opening, “An Exploration: Creating Conditions for Community Living,” runs from Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 20. The exhibit will remain open to the public until Saturday, September 5.

The evening will include our first art exhibit. 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. We are also showcasing the work of local artisans; offer a brief outline of our purpose and plans for the calendar year; and, begin a community discussion on what sort of community we wish to create.

Believing Appalachia’s greatest natural resource is her people, we connect and cultivate Appalachian people and traditions so that we can create “Conditions Favorable for Community Living” throughout our mountains. It’s not merely a slogan. The history of Lenoir, Caldwell County and the region is rich with examples of cooperation – among musicians, artists, business leaders, civic leaders, educators and more.

At 7:15, we are going to take a few moments to explain our purpose and plans. After that, we will consider the question, “What conditions are favorable for the community we desire?” Indeed, this question is intended to start an ongoing dialogue in our community. In short, while we are blessed with numerous artisans sharing our space, this will be an opportunity for anyone and everyone in our community to adopt an early draft of Lenoir’s slogan: “Together We Create.” While the slogan evolved into “Create with Us,” and is a lovely invitation to visit and live in Lenoir, the concept of creating together perfectly captures the essence of Grassroots Appalachia.

Long story short, our Opening is intended to be the first opportunity to start creating together the community we want. So beginning with the discussion on Tuesday, we will then patiently practice a brainstorming method that will help us accurately and efficiently identify what we expect from ourselves and our community.

This is how it works: On Tuesday, we’ll gather in a circle and make a list of conditions we find favorable for community living. During this time, there will be no debate or discussion about the list. We will simply keep going until we’ve exhausted ideas. We’ll end our evening at that point.

Yet, that is only the beginning. From then on, at each event and at other times throughout the year, we will gather again to continue the process. We will seek a consensus on the conditions we wish to prioritize. Once we have a consensus, we start on each condition and discuss why we want it and how we make it happen. Then we act upon it.

Generally, this method is done over a day or a few days. Obviously, this will be ongoing. By tackling issues without debate on Tuesday, will minimize conflict and keep us moving. More importantly, once that list is completed, people will forget which idea “belongs” to each person, eliminating the potential of personality conflicts souring the mood. Consequently, the issues become more important than any person; and hopefully, people who generally do not spend time with one another may start doing so.

Great Expectations

In the 1860s, Charles Dickens wrote a novel titled, “Great Expectations.” While I suffered through it in high school, over the last 52 years since I read the novel, I’ve concluded that the concept of having great expectation for ourselves and our community is not merely desirable, it is essential.

We can never stop considering or discussing the question about what conditions we find favorable for community living. We’ll begin our journey considering how the creative and performing arts, fair trade arts and crafts, and good old “front porch” discussions will move us closer to the community we desire. So, we hope to see you this week!

Among those joining us our first week is Amber Shoemake, who on Wednesday evening will be teaching the use of mixed media, with participants leaving with a personal art piece as well as further knowledge about the beauty of flowers. In the midst of writing about her talents in a previous article, I failed to publish her Artist Statement. It follows. It is important that you read it, because whatever your point-of-view, I believe we can all agree that we must create a space for multiple forms of expression – whether it is art or the worldview that guides the creation of that art.

Artist Statement – Amber Shoemake

The beauty of age is an ability to look back and value the ways and traditions that have proven most beneficial for me and my family. In years past the relationships of family, friends, and community developed and deepened as people helped one another through gardening and farming the land, cooking and preserving food, and producing goods to share, trade or gift. I want to encourage sustainable practices, as well as people’s goals and creative endeavors. Art has been my constant companion; I have given craft classes, sold handmade jewelry and painted for pleasure and gifts.

My husband and I enjoy an idyllic life in the Appalachian Mountains where I continue to develop my skills as an artist, writer, plant lover and flower grower. We raised two amazing daughters now following the Lord and competently seeking their dreams. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 ESV).