Art in the Park August 2023 | Blowing Rock, NC
Well, that’s a wrap on our Blowing Rock summer, and what a summer it was! Having an excuse to camp up in the mountains, visit rolling mountain vistas, and dip our toes in cool mountain rivers made this summer’s Art in the Park events and Edgewood Cottage Artist Residency worth it in and of itself. Now taking into consideration all of our new collectors, connections, and friends, I’d say this summer was one of our best yet.
You can read more about this summer’s adventures, including June’s Art in the Park, July’s Art in the Park, and the Edgewood Cottage Artist Residency on the Blog.
It’s always exciting to show in a new place, and Blowing Rock was that brand new marketplace for us at the start of the summer. However, by the fourth showing this summer, I realized just how rewarding it is to show somewhere again and again.
By this August’s Art in the Park, I began to recognize so many faces and reconnect with so many lovely people from throughout the summer that it made Blowing Rock feel more deep and meaningful a place to me than ever before - and that’s saying something considering my first ever post-grad job and my first art gallery job was right here in Blowing Rock, NC!
At this month’s Art in the Park, I ran into some old friends, including my former boss from the Reynolda Museum of American Art, Stephen Dragisic. Now he’s the new Executive Director of the beautiful Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, so next time you’re in Blowing Rock, be sure to stop by BRAHM to say hello and to visit one of their gorgeous rotating exhibitions.
I also got to meet a few fellow artists like Mei Kei, an emerging artist who had the sweetest, heartfelt message after our meeting:
“I found this North Carolina artist — Veronica Vale — here on Instagram in the Spring of 2021; today, I got the special chance to meet her in person! I found Veronica in my early research when I decided to become an artist, and I found her to be so positive and hard-working and approachable — She’s got this gorgeous minimalist art style with atmospheric hues, sweet and often brilliant and vibrant color palettes, and layers that just draw your gaze into the distance. Landscapes, mountainscapes, cityscapes.”
I don’t have to tell you how deeply touched I am by messages and feedback like this. It warms my heart to know that my work here could have such a positive impact on others.
As an emerging artist myself, I know just how important it is to have artistic role models, friends, and supporters, so I’m beyond honored and grateful to provide any guidance or assistance to any aspiring artists. If you’re an aspiring or emerging artist looking for advice, feedback, or simply words of encouragement, send me a message and let’s connect!
This summer’s Blowing Rock Art in the Park events and Edgewood Cottage Artist Residency reminded me that art isn't just about paint on a canvas or clay in a sculptor's hands. It's about the connections we forge, the stories we tell, and the emotions we evoke. Blowing Rock's Art in the Park in August encapsulated this spirit perfectly. It was a celebration of creativity, community, and the boundless wonders that unfold when art and nature intertwine.
Our 5 am start to the day was made magical by the crescent moon over the mountain of our beautiful campground, Grandfather Campground
If you missed this year's Art in the Park, be sure to mark your calendars for my next August event: The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary, NC. Whether you're an art aficionado, a family looking for a weekend adventure, or someone who just wants to bask in the joy of artistic expression, this event promises an unforgettable experience.
Until then, the echoes of a summer in the mountains, sharing and connecting through art, will inspire every new brushstroke in anticipation of shared moments to come.