About the event
Image credit: 'Jessie in front of the Blowing Rock Library.' Courtesy of Cantey Tanner.
The presentation will be about the creation of the life size ‘Jessie’ sculpture in front of the Blowing Rock Community Library. Cantey will demonstrate the process of sculpting, molding and casting this sculpture and describe the what led her to become a sculptor and portraitist. One of the major influences in her life was her grandmother and namesake who was an artist, philanthropist and community activist who led the effort to create the Raleigh Little Theatre and the Raleigh Rose Garden.
Shelley Crisp will share some of the history and uniqueness of the Raleigh Rose Garden created as a showcase for the citizens of North Carolina to visit in the capital city. The Rose Garden was created by the same guiding spirit that inspired Cantey Tanner— and is the Raleigh home of Jesse’s twin sister.
About the Speakers:
Cantey Tanner is a summer resident of Blowing Rock, currently serving on the Board of Governors of BRAHM and the Advisory Board of Raleigh Little Theatre. She recently retired from a 30-year career as a portrait sculptor and teacher, creating commissioned portraits of small to life-sized sculptures, primarily of children. Her work is in private collections and galleries along the East Coast. In 2011 she created a life-size sculpture named ‘Jessie’ for the town of Blowing Rock in honor of her late aunt Grace Carr. It has been embraced by the community and has become one of the most photographed features of downtown Blowing Rock.
Shelley Crisp is a native North Carolinian who converted a passion for literature into a professional commitment to education and the humanities. A docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art since 2010, Crisp has served on the boards of the FRANK in Orange County, the Raleigh Little Theatre, and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. She was a Yonahlossee camper, inspired by those experiences to sustain a lifelong connection to Blowing Rock and the Appalachian Mountains.
PLEASE NOTE: Limited seating available. An 80% refund will be issued if the participant cancels three weeks prior to the event. For cancellations made less than three weeks prior to the event, BRAHM will issue a refund IF the museum is able to fill the vacated spot.