One Summer afternoon in August 2013 I set out with my brother's Nikon D-40X looking to explore the areas around Banner Elk. I always love borrowing my brother's camera- there is a certain "power" in having a "real camera". A powerful camera allows one to take full advantage of the simple subjects and landscapes. Just off Shawneehaw Ave and Hickory Nut Gap Road near The Mill Pond in Banner Elk sits The Grandfather Home for Children. Founded in 1914, The Grandfather Home is preparing to celebrate 100 years of taking care of children in Western NC and advocating Foster and Adoption efforts throughout the state. Most travelers cruise down the road paying little attention to the home site or the simple barn structures around the property. One of the beauties of spending time in the NC High Country is the ability to slowdown, explore, relax and make connections with the land and one's surroundings.
So it was I pulled over, got out, hiked around and allowed the camera to capture whatever the lens found to be of interest...
Just down from the main campus I notice a simple stone and wooden building with tin roof- nestled in the valley set to a backdrop of green fields, towering pines and woodlands.
Closer inspection revealed craftsmanship in the stonework and carpentry. Both of my Grandfathers were carpenters with one of my Grandfathers and an Uncle also being Masons/Freemasons. So detailed carpentry skills, woodworking and masonry have always held a special place in my heart. There is something to be said of creating and building structures that outlive their creators. Much of that art & talent is lost in today's world where we have houses built start to finish in 30 days or so... Nothing fascinates the eye like true craftsmanship in the design and construction of a building- no matter if it be a house, barn, outbuilding, etc...
With my mom and dad being from the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina- I've always been interested in the story and plight of our Native Americans. I remember going to visit Cherokee NC as a kid- long before it was transformed into a "tourist" trap and gambling hot spot. So I was immediately drawn to the barn quilt artwork erected above the door. Throughout the mountains and valleys of Western North Carolina many barns and outbuildings are adorned with "art". Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina details the efforts to increase the use of quilt patterns and even includes maps to help provide a guide those interested in exploring this Appalachian art form.
The artist's use of the star burst design with bold colors of white, black, red and yellow really make a statement against the aged building. The primary design perfectly capturing and evoking Native American history and culture. (I added my own impact to the art by using SmugMug's unique PicMonkey tools. Just couldn't resist...)
The stone and masonry work was impossible to ignore. The use of local materials and the ability to create a piece of art out of the foundation and structure of the building was so interesting. I could tell that over the years there had been repairs to wood and roofing materials. But no where was there any sign of repair of changes to the original masonry work. Amazing!!
On the opposite end of the barn was an additional piece of quilt art and initially I failed to see the imagry and connection to The Grandfather Home for Children. In fact, I took numerous photos before my eyes translated the art. The quilt square was comprised of 5 squares- the outer squares containing two squares each of 4 boys and 4 girls. The center square taking one boy & girl from each to form the union of two boys and two girls. Much like the cycle of Foster Homes and Adoption brings people together to form families- this piece of art was symbolizing that union.
Much like the artist who constructed the building from raw materials- I was simply amazed at the quilt artist's interpretation. Damn- people are so talented... Nothing like the appreciation of an artist's work... But to then be somewhat be able to interpret the message and meaning is truly special.
I wonder how many have walked past the barn- missing the quilt art all together or possibly seeing the art as a bunch of colors & designs- but failing to see the true design and never making the connection between the art and it's surroundings?
Playing around with SmugMug's crafty tool PicMonkey, I created a photo that focused on the color and texture difference in the stonework and grass.
Hiking away from the "barn"- I was still amazed and drawn to the simple yet amazing Native American Quilt Art. I know where this jewel is located and hope to visit again during the snowy months or possibly in the Spring. It would be interesting to see if there are any flowers or bulbs that sprout and bloom on the property.
