Edgewood Cottage Artist Residency 2023 | Blowing Rock, NC

I’ve just wrapped up my first ever artist residency in beautiful Blowing Rock, NC. I’m honored to have been selected as a 2023 Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage by the Blowing Rock Historical Society.

This Artist Residency was quite unique in that, while I painted and worked on new paintings, I also had the opportunity to exhibit my work in the charming Edgewood Cottage, right next to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM). Being present during the entire exhibition made this residency feel like a pop-up gallery. As a former Fine Art Consultant, I felt right at home in this gallery atmosphere, only this time, I was selling and exhibiting my work, not someone else’s.

This residency was especially meaningful to me and not just because it was my first ever artist residency (although that in and of itself is thrilling). This particular residency was significant to me because my first job post-college graduation was as an Art Gallery Associate at an art gallery in Blowing Rock, NC, directly across the street from the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum and Edgewood Cottage. I used to park at the museum and walk to work, passing by the Edgewood Cottage and day-dreaming that one day perhaps my work would adorn those walls. I’m thrilled to have turned that dream into a reality this summer.

This past week, from June 26th to July 2nd, I exhibited alongside my fellow artist, renowned folk artist Theresa Gloster. What an honor it was to display my work alongside such a talented, reputable artist. We had such a wonderful time sharing stories and encouraging each other’s work all throughout the week.

Although our two artistic styles are quite different from one another, the shared vivid color palette and cheerful tone of our acrylic paintings made our two bodies of work harmonize beautifully together. You can find out more about Theresa Gloster’s work on her website here.

It was a delight to see all the new work from my latest series “The High Country Collection” hanging together in this charming cottage space. The brick fireplaces and historic furnishings created a cozy cottage atmosphere while the bright green of the rhododendron leaves just outside the window brought in a touch of nature that shone bright.

I was delighted to see that we hadn’t missed the rhododendron blooms this week. The soft pink blooms right outside the window perfectly reflected the title piece from my new series, “The High Country Collection.”

Thank you so much to everyone who came out on this beautiful summer week and 4th of July weekend to enjoy fine art and the mountains. My husband, our pup, Zorro, and I all had such a fun time chatting with you all, connecting you with original art and prints, and painting on the Edgewood Cottage’s beautiful porch.

Something about summer in the mountains sets my soul at ease. Being up in the High Country for the week meant exploring all of the beautiful little sacred spaces in the off hours, from Blowing Rock gazebos and gardens to wild rhododendron blooms alongside hidden waterfalls. This week in the mountains has given us so much peace, gratitude, and an abundance of reference photos.

Thank you again to my new Blowing Rock collectors for welcoming my work into your lives and homes. I hope to see you again soon at one of this summer’s Art in the Park events in downtown Blowing Rock.

Find me in lucky Booth #13 at Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC next Friday, July 15th from 10 am - 5 pm. Check out my Events calendar for more details and to stay apprised of all future events. I hope to see you in the High Country again soon!