You’ll Love This Surprising “Wild Art” at NC Arboretum

The NC Arboretum Asheville is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art, an outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring works by 17 local and national artists inspired by nature.

Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.

The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract. They are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at the Arboretum.

Each piece in the juried exhibition, called Wild Art, displays the artist’s reflections on the natural world and wildlife and offers gateways into the surrounding landscape. 

“In some ways, these sculptures just feel like they interweave with the gardens here and invite people to explore,” said Exhibits Curator Ashlee Lanier. 

Some sculptures, such as Grace Cathey’s “Big Al,” portray animals in implied motion, while others, like John W. Parker’s “Raptor,” explore free-form expressions. Others, like David Boyajian’s “Carp and the Acorn,” display the inherent elegance of nature. 

Big Al by Grace Cathey

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This sculpture is meant to capture the strength, movement and power of this beautiful creature from our natural world while representing the strength and ongoing faith of humanity as we push through this trying time.

SANCTUARY by John M. Almaguer & Julia C. Burr

This bird’s nest at the NC Arboretum provides sanctuary for survival, for respite and for the next generation to emerge.

TRIBUTARY by Eli Blasko

This scupture’s form takes as inspiration the flowing lines found in nature, in particular the bodies of amphibians and the waterways they inhabit.

CARP & THE ACORN by David Boyajean

This sculpture displays the inherent elegance of nature and invites your imagination to go on a journey at the NC Arboretum Asheville.

NESTING by Robert Coon

This sculpture does not depict any recognizable animal, but may stimulate the viewer to imagine a family of wild things, together, in an animal’s home.

TANGLED HARE by Todd Frahm

It is made entirely of industrial scraps. By repurposing the material he hopes his intervention is a tiny effort to offset the adverse effects of his pursuits.

A FLOCK OF BLACK BIRDS by Jim Gallucci

He believes good art challenges us, makes us feel righteous; moves us/soothes us; heals us and brings us peace. He hopes his work will evoke those feelings.

THE GREAT MONARCH MIGRATION by Jim Gallucci

The arch celebrates the annual phenomenon of nature with metal painted shapes on springs bouncing and fluttering in the wind.

STILLNESS MEETS TRAJECTORY by Annie Mariano

Annie reflects on the reprieve she found in exploring the outdoors near her home during the pandemic. She  discovered briefly a great blue heron. It is the beauty of the moment, a stoic great blue heron, waiting and watching for what comes next.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE by Roger Martin

The fox. Roger has been creating wildlife sculpture in one form or another for over 35 years. 

THE VISITOR by Roger Martin

A romp of otters fused into a single form unified in focus just as the fingers of a hand come to grip.

HATCHLING by Harry McDaniel

Hatchling can easily be seen as an egg. At the same time, the curved upright forms suggest the wings, head, and tail of an emerging bird, or perhaps, the petals of an opening flower.

ANGELWING by Susan Moffat

The angelwing is a bivalve mollusk, similar to claims. The sculptor likes the idea of taking it from the ocean floor and into the air as a symbol of the human spirit.

TWO BUTTERFLIES AND A MOTH by Linda Pannullo

The sculptor wants her art to inspire all to take steps to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the world.

LEO by Pokey Park

Pokey Park creates with the hope that her work will bring a smile to the viewer. Leo is a very satisfied mountain lion, all curled up and enjoying himself.

RAPTER by John W. Parker

Taken from insect life – segmented, hard shelled bodies, robotic and armor coated, yet able to instantly take flight.

WITHOUT THEM THERE IS NO USE by Lex Turnball

Lex uses art as a tool for exploring and exploiting various false notions of safety, with all of their comedy and tragedy.

Hope by Jim Weitzel

Hope evokes thoughts of birds and angels. He hopes that all his work will be viewed as a new archaeological discovery.

And Finally

If you are in the Asheville NC area between April 1 and September 26, I highly recommend a visit to the Wild Art Exhibition at the NC Arboretum Asheville. Besides the gardens, there is usually an indoor art exhibit. Also, the Bent Creek Bisto in the education center has excellent food. My personal favorite is the curried chicken salad on a croissant.

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