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In the heart of Historic Waynesville
98 N. Main Street, Waynesville NC 28786
(828) 456-1940
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:30
Sunday 1:00-4:00 (Seasonal)
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Dancing with Nature
March 2020 Issue 3 Vol 10
News, Life, and the Art Culture in the Smoky Mountains
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Well, aren’t we in a pickle! Who would have thought when you received my last newsletter that today most of the USA would be sitting at home with businesses shut down, grocery shelves in a constant flux, and the medical world in a state of panic? For me, the one word that describes this is,
surreal
. I must keep pinching myself to make sure that this is truly not a dream and we are in our new reality, not knowing what the next day will bring.
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My admiration goes out to those trying to make this better, from the healthcare workers, the grocery clerks, to the sanitation team keeping it all clean. My heart goes out to parents with kids at home that are doing their best to educate, entertain, and stimulate, all while working from home in attempt to hang onto their away job and keep some sort of order in the household. The Coronavirus has presented challenges in all shapes and sizes but we all must stay positive and stay smart as this will pass and we will come out on the other side cleaner, more organized, and more appreciative.
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Last Saturday, I succumbed to closing the gallery doors in support of requests by the state to socially distance ourselves from one another with hopes of “flattening the curve.” My employees were furloughed earlier in the week, so it is just me. I am actually in the gallery each day, staying amazingly busy, doing “stuff” like way-overdue filing (well, it is on the list) so we are open for business with the door locked, just no face to face … and not running the lights. With an easy phone call or email I can process your purchase and deliver it curbside or ship to your doorstep. The next weeks/months are going to be tremendously challenging, financially, for small businesses like Twigs and Leaves Gallery so if we can help you out with that birthday/anniversary/love gift your support would be extremely appreciated. The gallery has over 140 artists that depend on me to help put food on their table.
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While not taking care of gallery duties, I have aspirations of learning to play that grand piano in the back gallery, tapping into those obligatory, childhood piano lessons. I have one of those “coloring books” that distracts my mind and a jigsaw puzzle is on its way. Then there is therapy to do on my shoulder. The request to distance myself from the rest of the world comes naturally because I am used to being in the building ALL day as it is work and home. Fortunately, John and I have plenty of room so we can give each other some space. I would love to hear from you as to how you are spending your time.
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Most of downtown Waynesville is shut down, with the restaurants doing the curb service thing. It is working well for some. Hopefully they can continue. The merchants are anxious for this to be over and are already talking about a big celebration once we are given the okay to open our doors and hug all our friends. Everyone is trying to stay strong and keep a positive attitude as a new Facebook group of merchants was developed where we can stay connected with updates and offer support to one another.
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On the sunny side, we have been blessed with the beginnings of an incredible spring display of flowers. With plenty of rain and warmer temperatures the daffodils, grape hyacinths, forsythia, and wild violets have out done themselves. At least with the virus lurking around we are encouraged to get outside in the fresh air and we are lucky to have a beautiful place to do just that.
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Another sunny side, as the world began crashing down we were awarded #1 Waynesville Gallery by readers of The Mountaineer. Thank you to all that have supported us for the 13 years, March anniversary, we have owned Twigs and Leaves Gallery.
My well wishes to any of you or your family/friends directly affected by the Coronavirus. May everyone stay well, stay safe, stay positive for the better days ahead, as I look forward to seeing you on the other side.
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SPOTLIGHT ARTIST:
Christina Bendo
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Christina Bendo grew up helping her parents grow food in the rich red clay soil of Virginia and exploring the fields and forest of their property on the Potomac River. It seems a natural progression that she now works in a craft that uses the same raw materials needed to grow food in order to make objects used to serve it. She first became interested in using local clays after digging miocene marine clay where she was living in Virginia, and in 2017 moved to North Carolina to further study raw materials at STARworks Center for Creative Enterprises. Since her transformative time working there, she uses a clay body and slips containing local North Carolina clay, and fires with wood and salt in the tradition of a long line of North Carolina potters in order to further a connection to the geological and human history of place.
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"My primary construction tools are the wheel and slab roller. I often throw pieces on the wheel that will be altered and combined with other parts to create more complex forms. My love of ancient pots of the Mediterranean and the Americas informs my shapes. I also produce slab plates and dishes using handmade hump and slump molds. The pots are decorated with flora and fauna observed while hiking, foraging, and studying field guides. My functional vessels, intended for daily use, serve as reminders that all are connected to the earth beneath our feet and the wide range of life it nourishes."
View more work by Christina
here.
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"Sometimes it takes a dragon to fight a dragon."
- Lucy Gibson
My daughter-in-law is busy sewing face masks to do her part to help the medical professionals on the front lines better fight the coronavirus pandemic. Here is H modeling the latest.
Find Haywood County COVID19 updates (including updated restaurant information)
here
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98 N. Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
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