ARS POETICA II: A Juried Exhibition
September 24 – November 30, 2024 | Alexander Community Gallery
George Pfeffer, Touch, 2024, photo of original mushroom spore pattern printed on archival paper with pigment ink, 15 in. x 14.5 in.
Horace, the renowned lyric poet of ancient Rome, famously wrote in Ars Poetica that “as is painting, so is poetry.” Though distinct in their methods, both art forms strive to evoke similar emotions and insights. Horace argued that when experienced together, their power to transform is even greater. This idea continues to drive the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum's (BRAHM) annual project.
With that in mind, BRAHM is excited to present the second iteration of ARS POETICA, a juried exhibition showcasing the collaborative potential between poetry and visual art. This year’s selections feature new pairings of poems and artworks, with each piece enriching the experience of the other. Themes such as memory and loss, Nature, and the complexities of modern human connection emerge throughout, creating a rich dialogue between text and image.
With 81 works of art and 69 poems submitted, the jury faced the rewarding challenge of selecting from a diverse and thought-provoking body of work. The final selections reflect a careful consideration of how these art forms converse with one another, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with both the written word and the visual world. To all the talented poets and artists who submitted, we extend our sincere thanks. Congratulations to those featured in this year’s exhibition—we are thrilled to share your vision with our community.
The Museum is excited to continue ARS POETICA as an annual project, presented in our Alexander Community Gallery and this digital catalog. We look forward to returning in the autumn of 2025 for another opportunity to look and read together.
About the Judges:
Jessica Cory - Jessica Cory is new to Appalachian State University, arriving Fall 2023. Prior to coming to App State, she taught composition, rhetoric, technical communication, and literature courses at other UNC System institutions and NC community colleges. She also has prior experience as a writing center tutor in several writing centers and served as a writing center administrator in Beaufort Count Community College’s and Pitt Community College’s writing centers. Prior to working in higher ed, she worked in the human services field, particularly with mental and behavioral health.
B. Jane Doub - President and CEO of Piedmont Craftsmen since 2005. Exhibiting Member in Fiber since 1992. BCA UNC-Charlotte, working fiber artist since 1980 specializing in handwoven garments; Fiber Program Coordinator for Sawtooth School 1982 – 2004; and co-owner of Fiber Co. since 1987. Has served on a variety of non-profit and community service boards and committees. Currently serving on the Public Art Commission. Winston-Salem’s 2006 Artist of the Year.
