White Horse Black Mountain

Black Mountain NC: "We are stronger together" 2025

In the spring of 2024 I began a second "Black Mountain" panel (view under Panels on the website) illustrating businesses and places that surround this city, In September, Hurricane Helene devastated homes, businesses, and western North Carolina mountains, rivers, streams, roads, and bridges. I lived in Swannanoa from 2000 to 2023. The amount of support from local, state, national, and regional individuals and agencies is helping to rebuild communities and people's lives. Within cities and towns, inspiration in words and actions are wrapping individuals and communities in abundant love and support. One agency is a music venue in the heart of Black Mountain, called White Horse Black Mountain. whitehorseblackmountain.org

Almost immediately after the storm, White Horse opened their doors for community members to gather and listen to music, poetry, songwriters, and bands, with no cover charge. Local, regional, and national artists continue to share their gifts in this venue. Throughout the cities and towns in western North Carolina, first responders from near and far, engineers, churches and city agencies, a plethora of non-profit agencies and organizations in each of our counties as well as government and private organizations opened their arms to feed, clothe, and support the emotional needs of residences. In Black Mountain a sign in the middle of town reads, "We are stronger together." In a neighbor's garden, a garden ornament is inscribed with "My Heart Belongs in Black Mountain;" and a note on the White Horse Black Mountain website reads "Live Music = Community Healing." To me Black Mountain "lives" what it means to take care of feeding people's bodies, minds, and spirits.

I donated the Black Mountain II panel to The White Horse Black Mountain in appreciation of their care and loving spirit. Prints are for sale at The Purple Squirrel, 25% of the procedes from any sales of the prints from this panel support the White Horse Black Mountain Community Fund.