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Featuring a variety of artistic challenges, deep-dives, unique gallery tours, program highlights, and youth engagement to connect with you no matter where you are.
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Curator’s Corner
Heads up! There's less than a month left to see our current exhibitions before we cycle in some new ones!
Coffee With the Curator: Terra Ludis
This part of the North Carolina mountains was once so isolated, that they were referred to as the Lost Provinces; now it is a place where countless individuals venture to find themselves through outdoor recreation. Terra Ludis: Play Ground profiles hiking, kayaking, climbing, fly fishing, mountain biking, and road cycling to see how and why people play games with the Earth.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Tracy Minton
"I heard somebody else say this and it eventually became true for me, “We get paid in sunsets,” I heard it a few times before I moved to Mount Jefferson, and they have a road that goes to the top of the mountain with two scenic overlooks that both provide a sunset view. So I would ride up there every night when I was closing the park, so I really was getting paid to watch sunsets.”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Andy Hill
"The etiquette of fly fishing is one of conservation, of a certain kinship with the river and the land, a stewardship. Trout can only thrive is these areas of extreme water quality and diverse habitat, it’s unique.”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Eiryn Reynolds
Eiryn Reynolds is a photographer and hiker, in 2018 she did something many people only dream of, Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. She shared that dream with her partner and together they decided to embark on the months long journey. She had an interesting experience when talking to people about her adventure.”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Aaron Parlier
"You can be motivated by the people around you and a lot of times when I’m trying my hardest or I’ve figured something out – it’s a shared experience amongst all climbers…”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Mike Mayfield
“I guess, the great thing about kayaking: any day can be your current favorite. Any moment for that matter…”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Brian Sain
"I really fell in love with cycling in the mountains, my folks would bring my brother and I up to Fleetwood and we’d ride Todd Railroad Grade Road to Todd to the general store, have a snack and ride back. I can remember doing that from – I don’t think I had training wheels, but it was pretty soon after.”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Mac Utter
“One of my favorite activities is being with someone outside hiking in silence because you have that connection, you know you’re there, but you’re also simultaneously connecting through something that’s been there for who knows how long.”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Melissa Weddell
"I really believe our outdoor recreation and public spaces are the heart of our democracy – anyone can come enjoy it. Solitude and the woods are good for your soul…”
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Tom Henry
"I think awe is an important thing in faith and it’s important for me to experience wonder, and I get that outdoors. When I feel small, it’s kind of comforting, actually.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Jenny Allen & Ryan Beasley
Owning an outfitter and guiding service is hard work, something Jenny Allen & Ryan Beasley, owners of Rock Dimensions in Boone, NC, know all too well. But there are also those times of reflection when you realize the work you are doing is important brings value to peoples lives.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Julie Mullis
We sat down with naturalist, educator and self-described "botanizer," Julie Mullis, to ask what is her favorite time to be outdoors.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Kelly McCoy
Access to outdoor recreation is a big issue for many people. Some activities like fly fishing, kayaking, and cycling require a larger investment than others like hiking. Many outdoor outfitters in the high country provide rental so people can enjoy the sports without such a steep price tag. We sat down with Kelly McCoy, owner of River Girl Fishing Co. to talk about how she started her outfitting business.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Eva Rand
Eva is a retired chemist and dietician. Her love of cycling brought her to the high country. We had a wonderful discussion around the culture, types, and techniques of road cycling. We asked Eva do describe her approach to cycling.
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Carter Smith
For this week's oral history feature we listen to Carter Smith, Boone native, instructor at Lees McRae University and climbing coach at Center 45 Climbing & Fitness. He's been climbing since before he could walk. We asked him what makes climbing special for him…
Terra Ludis: Play Ground | Meet Naturalist Amy Renfranz
Amy Renfranz is a naturalist and writer based out of Seven Devils, NC. You may have read her recurring "Dear Naturalist" column in the Watauga Democrat. In our interview, we asked her to tell us about her favorite memories outdoors.
Oral History Feature: Paul Stahlschmidt
With the parks and trails reopening we reflect on our interview with Conservationist and mountain biker, Paul Stahlschmidt. He reminds us that we need to be mindful of the impact we make on our shared outdoor resources.
The Basics of Fly Fishing: A Woman’s Perspective
In this “Virtual” Scholars & Scones talk, Kelly McCoy, Owner and operator of RiverGirl Fishing Company, teaches us how to learn the art of fly fishing without breaking the bank. Kelly has over a decade of experience teaching people to fly fish through her business located in a historic train depot in Todd, NC.
Curator’s Corner: "Terra Ludis: Play Ground"
Terra Ludis: Play Ground launched on our website on Saturday, April 25th and we couldn’t be more stoked to share it with you. It features first hand accounts of High Country outdoor recreation through a series of oral history interviews along with some epic adventure photographs, many of which were captured by photographer Daniel Gajda.