April 24, 2024
Lake Junaluska’s Artists in Residence invite you to visit “Art in the Gardens,” now through Wednesday, May 15. The event features works by Lake Junaluska community artists displayed at a number of the 16 gardens and places of meditation throughout the grounds. In addition, an exhibition called “Legends” is located outside the Harrell Center library.
Paintings, environmental art, mobiles and sculptures will all be exhibited and will be available for sale. However, one particular exhibit was designed to be given away, said artist in residence Jody Lipscomb.
“Joy in the Garden,” a community art project by artists Joy Clairborne and Betsy Eaves, invited community members to help paint 60 to 80 rocks, which were placed in heart shapes near Memorial Chapel. Visitors to the exhibition were then invited to take a rock.
Launched in 2019, Artists in Residence has grown to over 25 members who work together to support Lake Junaluska’s strategic vision of providing a variety of arts that touch the human spirit through incorporating visual arts more fully into the Lake Junaluska experience.
Participating Art in the Gardens artists are Belinda Bowling, Joy Clairborne, Daniel Compher, Betsy Eaves, Christine Gibson, Debbie Irons, Jody Lipscomb, Danna Meek, Stephanie Schulz and Haidee Wilson.
Lipscomb said viewing art at Lake Junaluska’s gardens offers people a place to rest and reflect on the wonder of nature and art. “We really wanted people to make a trip to the gardens and look for the art,” she said. “I think especially art at the Lake – it’s that feeling of peace that makes you sit down and contemplate what’s around you.”
Melissa Tinsley, Lake Junaluska’s director of grounds, said Art in the Gardens brings joy to her landscaping team as well as to the community. “Partnering with our local artists to showcase original art in the gardens is a special way to share art,” she said. “It enhances our gardens to create more interest in art and gardening, especially as we kick off our season.”
To learn where art will be displayed, as well as the contact information for each participating artist, guests can pick up an Art in the Gardens guide at Bethea Welcome Center, 91 N. Lakeshore Drive or email [email protected]. For more information about the gardens and places of meditation at Lake Junaluska, visit lakejunaluska.com/gardens.
