Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Announces Public Phase of Capital Campaign

Group Already at Halfway Point in Fundraising for New Building

The dream of a museum dedicated to the visual arts and preserving the history and heritage of the mountains already is halfway to realization after the private phase of its capital campaign took only ten months. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) announced early in June that its campaign, entitled Art and History in the Making, has secured slightly more than $4 million toward an $8 million goal that will fund the 21,000 square foot, three-level building on Main Street.

BRAHM will be home to both art and historical artifacts, reflecting its mission to promote visual arts and history and to celebrate the rich heritage of the mountains.

The origins of the museum started in 1995, when a small group of citizens began to talk about a museum in Blowing Rock, acknowledging that in the village, art and history have always been intertwined. In June, after an educational program entitled Daingerfield Days sponsored by St. Mary of the Hills, Lamont and CoraAnn Hudson approached the Historical Society and expressed interest in giving their Daingerfield collection to Blowing Rock. The Hudsons had been friends with Daingerfield's daughter, Gwen Daingerfield Plyler, and had amassed a substantial collection of Daingerfield's work over the years.

Their challenge to the group was to build a suitable museum to house the collection.

In a matter of days, like-minded Blowing Rock residents gathered to discuss the prospect. Talks continued and dreams grew, and by 1999, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum organization was formed. In 2001, the group became incorporated as an official nonprofit organization. By then, considerable work had been done to solidify the concept of the museum and to explore possible locations for it.

After several months of discussions and presentations to town officials, in August 2003, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum was granted a long-term lease on town property at the south end of Main Street on land that coincidentally included Elliott Daingerfield's first studio in Blowing Rock, known as Edgewood Cottage. The Blowing Rock Historical Society is currently renovating the cottage and it will be a “living exhibit” adjacent to the museum.

From the initial idea and challenge, BRAHM has grown into the largest nonprofit organization in Blowing Rock with nearly 600 members and $5 million in assets.

Local and regional contributors who believe in the value of such a cultural institution on Main Street in Blowing Rock solidly supported the capital campaign that began quietly last summer.

“We are extremely gratified by the amazing support that our members and friends have exhibited in embracing the vision for this museum and then being so personally generous,” said Welborn A. Alexander, chair of the BRAHM Board of Trustees. “As we launch the public phase of this campaign, we know that the rest of the community will want to participate in creating a lasting educational and cultural asset for the citizens and children of Blowing Rock and the surrounding area.”

The honorary chair of the fundraising campaign is Bob Timberlake, one of North Carolina's most recognized and successful living artists.

The appeal has been extended to everyone who supports the enrichment that appreciation of the arts and history brings to one’s life. The full membership of BRAHM, both year-round and seasonal residents of Blowing Rock, as well as citizens in the surrounding communities, will all have the opportunity to join in this exciting endeavor.

To find out how to donate and for updates on BRAHM’s activities, click to www.blowingrockmuseum.org or call 828-295-9099.

BRAHM’s Artistic Gifts to the Community

Each summer, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum produces a summer event for the community to enjoy and to increase awareness of their purpose and mission.

In 2002, the event was a retrospective of the works of Philip Moose, along with the only catalogue of his artwork.

In 2003, a weekend of activities highlighted the Cone Sisters who are legends in the art world and whose impact is still being felt.

In 2004 and 2005, BRAHM sponsored a two-week Art Celebration, a juried exhibition and auction of regional artists.

In 2006, BRAHM commissioned noted North Carolina muralist Robert Johnson to paint a mural on the Capel Rug Building on Main Street as BRAHM’s gift to the village.

And in 2007, BRAHM will hold a Celebration of Art and Antiques from August 2 through 5 in the Blowing Rock School gymnasium.