What’s the hospitality for artists like in the Highlands portion of North Carolina? Ask the plein air painters who were guests this year of nonprofit organization the Village Green.
Plein air painting in the Cashiers, North Carolina, area
Scott Boyle reported on Facebook about his participation in the Joy Garden Tour, a fundraiser and awareness-raising event at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Cashiers, North Carolina. “Cashiers is an amazing community of generous people from all over the southeast United States,” he writes. “They have nestled themselves in mountain homes they call cabins — among a dozen or so prestigious golf courses — mostly hidden from public view. My experience for over the last two events has been a real pleasure, with wonderful accommodations and meals and preplanned locations to paint. I can’t say enough good things about the people there and how they rally themselves together for the good of their community and the support of the arts.” The artists painted the area from July 19 to July 21, when select pieces were on display at a New Orleans jazz brunch at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley.
One of the pieces painted by Atlanta artist John Guernsey
One last browsing before the official opening of the sale in Cashiers, North Carolina, on July 21
Collectors at the jazz brunch
“The Approach,” by Scott Boyle, 2013, oil, 12 x 12 in.
Whiteside Mountain, one of the many exquisite views in the Cashiers area
The Village Green is 12.5 acres of preserved land with meandering paths, picnic sites, wetlands boardwalks, cultivated gardens, and two outdoor event venues. “More than 1,200 people toured the five beautiful private gardens featured on the 2013 Joy Garden Tour benefiting the Village Green,” reports Ann Self, executive director of the nonprofit. “Two plein air artists were in each of the gardens. Artists were seen painting stunning mountainside views, fields of wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, quaint kitchen and herb patches, and colorful beds of hydrangeas, day lilies, and black eyed susans. The artists added interest and created conversation as they painted in the gardens. The Village Green is grateful for the artists’ contribution to enhance the Joy Garden Tour experience while helping to raise critical funding for the park.”
