Don’t miss this brief but important exhibit, featuring the work of two artists whose visual work and personal arts advocacy have a strong positive impact on the region’s creative community. Though each artist has her own unique style, there are themes in common. You’ll truly understand the exhibit title when you visit the gallery!

Please consider a purchase as you browse the work. You’ll be making an investment in regional art—and in hurricane recovery! These are up-and-coming artists who will continue to grow and make a splash in the art world. All commissions collected by Create Appalachia will be donated to hurricane relief.

Jocelyn Mathewes is a mixed-media interdisciplinary artist,

living with her family in rural Appalachia in East Tennessee, USA. She earned B.A. in Studio Art and English Literature from Messiah College. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and community spaces all over the United States. She has participated in residencies with the Artist Residency in Motherhood (ARiM), Makers Circle, and Stay Home Gallery. In 2020, she founded EAT/ART SPACE, an alternative pop-up gallery, where she curates exhibits. She also organizes artist meet-ups in the Tri-Cities region to foster regional growth, collaboration, and innovation. Jocelyn also serves Operations and Marketing Specialist for Action VFX in Johnson City, TN.

Annamarie Buchanan uses drawing and mixed media to explore empathic and spatial relationships with the feminine body. The cathartic process that art has to offer is present in the process of Buchanan’s work and she hopes to bring that catharsis to others. As a college student, she recognized a need to revamp art programs in her community and developed an arts outreach organization called Arts2Grow on the Clemson University campus. Through art and activism, Buchanan hopes to get people thinking about the ways they themselves can make an impact in their own communities. Annamarie currently serves as Curator of Contemporary Fine Art & Craft at the William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, VA.

In order to avoid the pre-holiday rush, this exhibit will have a closing reception on Thursday, January 9th. There is no cost for admission, though there will be a donation box available should you want to support the efforts of our exhibit committee. We hope to see you there!