Watauga Truss in Boone Gorge Park. Photo by Watauga Arts Council.
Graduate students at Appalachian State University collaborated with the Watauga Arts Council and the Blue Ridge Conservancy to design art projects that highlight the hidden history of Boone Gorge Park in Watauga County, North Carolina. The park is currently being constructed on property that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024, and the projects are designed to connect park visitors to the specific history of the site. The proposed art projects underscore the resilience of an Appalachian community, not just in the face of climate disasters such as extreme flooding, but throughout history. The project emphasizes the ways in which collaboration across disciplines and with community partners, stakeholders, and individuals can empower Appalachian communities.
For more info, visit https://www.watauga-arts.org/art-outdoors