I am incredibly honored to have been selected as one of 11 artists to bring creative healing work to the former Vance Monument area in downtown Asheville. The goal of this work being created for ‘Art in the Heart’ is to “unite, heal, and strengthen the community” to usher in a new era beyond the…

When young Byard Ray was all of seven years old growing up in the remote Madison County town of Revere, it’s said that he would sneak his mother’s fiddle away to learn how to “tease out a tune” while no one was looking. It should not have been a surprise when his mother and father…

I spent some time going back through the grieving practices of my family when I was small and into adulthood when I realized I hadn’t spent time finding my very own way to grieve. Thanks to The Porch Magazine for sharing these words reflecting that journey. Finding My Very Own Way to Grieve Published through…

It was truly one of the glimmering little highlights of my summer to spend some time with Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education (PAGE Programs) and Asheville Artist Jenny Pickens to capture the vital work they’re doing with Madison County girls for the Hot Springs Tourism & Welcome Center. You can read the full article here….

The story below was written for the Hot Springs N.C. Tourism Association. Hot Springs, North Carolina is one of over 40 trail towns recognized by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy that the 2,193 mile national scenic trail crosses through. During the ongoing threat of COVID, outdoor spaces received record visitation in 2020 as travelers sought safe spaces…

Thanks to The Porch Magazine for allowing me the space to place words to the experience of holding death after shape-shifting through this past year-and-a-half with it in a more powerful way than I ever have. What a journey it has been. I’ve found myself at so many points wanting to rush to make sense…

This piece was written for the Hot Springs N.C. Tourism Association in the summer of 2020 and can be found on their website here: “Where the Appalachian Trail Leads…” On a warm October afternoon, I walk up to the side porch of Hot Spring’s oldest and most well-known home, The Sunnybank Inn. Having been closed…

When looking at corn varieties and farming in southern Appalachia, there is no greater teacher on the subject than the Cherokee. Heirloom seed saver and registered member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Harold Long, alongside his wife Nancy Long, certainly have stories to share on the subject. “With seeds, there are so many…

One early spring afternoon I sit tucked away in a booth at the newly-redesigned downtown Indian street food eatery Chai Pani. Across from me sits the easy-going yet highly revered three-time James Beard Award nominated chef and founder Meherwan Irani. He’s sharing memories of how he met his wife (and restaurant co-founder) Molly while waiting…

How one woman started a little home grown ice cream empire…