Two students find community through the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum’s docent program - published May 7, 2026

Story Written by: Lorelei Roberts

BLOWING ROCK — The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum sits in the perfect spot for rotating exhibits by local and regional artists, with docents like Jenna Curlee and Frankie Mancuso ready to share an interesting fact about their exhibits.

“I feel like people have a false impression that museums are stuffy and inaccessible and hard to feel comfortable in, but BRAHM isn’t like that,” Curlee said. “People come in, they want to talk to you about the art, and no one is trying to make you feel stupid.”

A docent is a volunteer host and tour guide at the museum, walking through galleries to engage with visitors, answer questions, and share interesting stories, historical context, and fun facts about the exhibits. Curlee and Mancuso are two art students at Appalachian State University who were first front-desk employees at the museum but became curious and said yes to becoming docents.

“If you find your brain turning into mashed potatoes because you’re on your phone all the time, come be a docent,” Mancuso said. “You get to be around cool stuff, use your brain and meet cool people.”

Beyond volunteering for the museum, docents are invited on excursions to artists’ studios, tours of historic sites, and visits to private collectors’ homes to view and learn about the art and history of the High Country.

“It’s a great way to engage with people who love and create art,” Curlee said. “I have made a lot of great connections with others being a docent.”