Local kids add fresh perspective to downtown Black Mountain

Young artists show off artistic skills on red rocking chairs

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 13, 2022

Young local artists hold prints their completed paintings, which are featured on the 17 red rocking chairs in downtown Black Mountain this year. The group, led by Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant Gretchen Glass (left), are among the children who participated in the first Chamber Creative Kids Club. Standing from left to right, are participating artists Sophie Day, Andrew Dimitris, Ramona Wardwell, Emerson Kearns, Eila Day and Mollie Ferguson. Standing in the back row, from left to right, Sebastian Glass, True Marett, David Dimitris and Lucian Glass display their art. Photo by Fred McCormick

A nearly decade-long tradition in downtown Black Mountain has found a new perspective this year through the work of some of the community’s youngest artists.

The Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce is unveiling 17 new red rocking chairs, featuring a colorful and diverse array of paintings by local children, in some of the most highly trafficked locations in town. The rockers, sponsored by area businesses and residents, will be displayed along Broadway Avenue, Cherry and State Streets, for six months. Four additional chairs, from their location at the Asheville Visitor Center, invite travelers to check out Black Mountain.

Four rocking chairs along Cherry Street feature artwork by local children, ages 6 - 12. Photo by Fred McCormick

The chairs, which are available for public use, have become a mainstay for shoppers in the central business district since the annual fundraiser was introduced in 2013. Each of the pieces on the back of the rockers this year were designed and painted by children between the ages of 6 - 12, during the first year of the Chamber Creative Kids Club. The spring class, led by Chamber of Commerce Administration Assistant Gretchen Glass, was held weekly in the Visitor Center.

"We wanted to support Swannanoa Valley's artistic tradition and encourage budding artists in the area," Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon Tabor said. "The talent of these young people is amazing."

Glass, who holds a bachelor’s degree in studio arts, facilitated the classes and provided the young participants with creative prompts, while assisting them throughout the process. The first group was asked to paint a scene depicting a place they feel joy.

Seventeen red rocking chairs featuring art by participants in the Chamber Creative Kids Club this spring, will be on display in downtown Black Mountain through the rest of the year. Photo courtesy of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce

Once complete, the children’s paintings were affixed to full- and child-sized rockers, which complement Black Mountain’s moniker, “the little town that rocks,” while offering thousands of visitors and local residents a quiet spot to relax, downtown.

“They were all really committed to painting something special for these chairs,” Glass said. “It’s not often that children get to see their art displayed in public, so this was really an opportunity to share their creativity and talent with the community.”

Each child received a print of their painting, and sponsors will receive the chairs near the end of the year.

"The rocking chair sponsors will take the chairs home after six months of hosting visitors to Black Mountain, rather than being auctioned,” Tabor said. “We wanted to expand the ownership opportunity to residents, rather than limiting them to businesses.”

The funds raised by the annual campaign support the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating a century of partnerships with area businesses this year.