Art in the Afternoon holds annual art show and silent auction

Black Mountain afterschool program features work of dozens of local children

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 14, 2021

The work of dozens of young Swannanoa Valley artists was on display, May 14, with the return of the annual Art in the Afternoon Art Show and Silent Auction.

The show, in its 13th year, displays the art of the approximately 30 kids who attend the afterschool program at the Carver Community Center.

The exhibit is normally hosted by the Black Mountain Public Library, but was held virtually in 2020. This year, Art in the Afternoon founder and director Stephanie Bly opted for a one-day show in the field used by the children in her program. The silent auction, which is being held in the eastern side of the Carver Center, will continue through Wednesday, May 26.

Traditionally, the event raises money for area nonprofit organizations, including Bounty & Soul and Rusty’s Legacy. Proceeds from the 2021 show will help fund improvements to the van that will be used by the Art in the Afternoon Summer Program.

A gallery featuring photos of the artists and their pieces can be viewed below.

William Kearns, 8, is one of dozens of children in the Art in the Afternoon program whose work was displayed in the program’s annual art show and silent auction, May 14.

Emerson “Emmie” Kearns, 11, created several of the pieces displayed in the 13th annual Art in the Afternoon Art Show and Silent Auction, May 14, at the Carver Community Center.

Reagan Ferguson, 9, presents some of her work that was displayed at the Carver Community Center, May 14, when the annual Art in the Afternoon Art Show and Silent Auction returned for its 13th year.

Kaleyse McCormick, 9, is one of around 30 children in the Art in the Afternoon program whose work was displayed in the program’s annual art show and silent auction, May 14.

From left to right: Reagan Ferguson, Kaleyse McCormick, Leah Vanderpuy and Emmie Kearns participate in the Art in the Afternoon Art Show and Silent Auction, which opened at the Carver Community Center on May 14.