The captivating town of Black Mountain, NC inherits part of its identity from the Seven Sisters mountain range, about three and a half miles long and including seven gracefully rising “sisters” climbing to their father, Greybeard Mountain.
Changing garments every season, the majestic range beckons residents and visitors to look up. These mountains, creating “The Valley,” have provided inspiration, comfort, adventure and tranquility to its residents and visitors for centuries, and seem to especially attract those with creative energy who yearn to express their beauty through art.
Seven Sisters Gallery has lived in the warmth and shadows of the Seven Sisters mountain range for over 35 years in the heart of historic downtown Black Mountain. The gallery echoes the mountain spirit found in the Valley with the finest selection of handcrafts and artworks: sculpture, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, glasswork, metalwork, fine art, original paintings, cards and more.
“Stepping into Seven Sisters Gallery is like stepping into an artistic expression of this special place so many of us love,” says Black Mountain resident Julie Boyd. “I have lived here for 15 years and always discover something new and original in the gallery.”
Seven Sisters’ owner, Andrea McNair, deeply connected with the charm of the mountain town and its shops, restaurants and people when she moved from Minnesota over 20 years ago.
After working as a sales associate at the gallery for seven years, she purchased Seven Sisters from the original owner in 2002. She is passionate about the talented artists in the area and strives to make the gallery a platform to showcase local art and craft to the public.
“The mountains illuminate our days, and the soul of its people is expressed in our independently owned shops and restaurants,” says McNair. “I have so many ‘old favorites,’ but I’m constantly discovering new things about our vibrant town and the talented people who live here.”
With over 250 artists and craftspeople represented in Seven Sisters Gallery’s 2000 square foot space, about sixty percent are local to the immediate area with the rest from the region and around the country.
“It’s the peace, energy and beauty that people want to experience and surround themselves with as they live and visit here, and that is what we strive to provide at Seven Sisters,” says McNair.
The gallery frequently features local artists to give the community an opportunity to connect with their work. Billy Edd Wheeler, a Swannanoa resident, will be featured June 3- August 28, 2016. Wheeler is an award-winning songwriter and visual artist. He has received 13 awards from ASCAP for songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Kenny Rogers, Elvis and 90-some other artists. He is still writing songs, but is focusing more of his time on painting, most inspired by the culture of life in Western North Carolina.
Other local artists featured at Seven Sisters Gallery include John Wayne Jackson, Erin Essen Campbell, Rachel Clegg, Cheryl Keefer, and John Smith.
“All of these artists have a unique way of expressing their love for the community in which we live,” says McNair. “It is truly an extraordinary place.”
Seven Sisters Gallery is located at 117 Cherry Street in historic downtown Black Mountain. For more info sevensistersgallery.com or call (828) 669-5107.