WINTER NOTES
from Guest Editor and Azule Board Member

Lorrie Jayne
 

Deep winter strips the remnants of last year from trees, bushes, and grounds, and the darkly etched lines of Azule’s landscape reveal themselves. The spiraling patio, curved walls, winding trails, and scalloped tree lines emanate from the form of the house. Lines and forms stand stark, mirror themselves in stretched shadow, succumb to the soft chalk outline of snow. While the house is grounded in the history and landscape, the vivid lines of the surrounding features are rooted in Camille’s grounded vision for the house which she has manifested in cooperation with the fine artisans/workers she has gathered round her.

We take time in this issue to introduce the talented builders and keepers of the outdoor surroundings and features at Azule, co-creators with Camille of the landscape that grounds and cradles other lines at Azule: lines of thought, spoken word, poetry, film, song, drumming, movement, dance, self-care, dialogue- and the dynamic lines of the web that is woven when artists and community meet in all of their various-forms.
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What’s Happening at Azule in February
and March?

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ON February 19-21
 

 “Sweet Sixteen 

for Sixteen” 

vol II

BODY BRIDGE W/ LISA MANDLE
FILM & DISCUSSION
www.racialtaboo.com

Landscape & Grounds:

An Introduction to the Builders and Keepers of Azule’s Outdoors

Who are the builders and keepers of Azule’s beautiful outdoor lines and forms?
They are:


Bobby Thomas,
Azule Groundskeeper
Bobby was born and raised in Hot Springs and has worked as the Azule groundskeeper for the
past 4 years. He takes pride in keeping the extensive Azule grounds looking good for all our residents, visitors, and guests.



Andrew Hesed 
Originally from St Louis, Andrew has lived just up the hill from Azule for the past 8 years. Over the years he has put his incredible skills in stonemasonry and woodworking to use all over the Azule property. This includes the beautiful stone fireplace in the house, many of the stonewalls that wind their way through the Azule grounds, and the restoration of the old tobacco barn, among many other projects. When he’s not stacking stones, he’s busy being an awesome father to his and Natalie’s baby girl, Chloe; as well as tending to his pigs, and always cooking up a storm.



Harold Finley 
Harold was a farmer and is now a landscaper, grading contractor and community developer, in addition to running a rental cabin business. He has been a life long resident of the Bluff community. Married in 1974 with Sadie Thomas, he has three children and one grand child. He has put countless hours into improving the buildings and grounds of Azule for over twenty five years. He still raises a big garden every year and makes some of the best sorghum molasses in Madison County. He’s been on the Azule Board since 1994.



Christopher Jayne 
Christopher is a landscape designer from nearby Sandy Mush, North Carolina who has known Camille since childhood. He finds Camille’s understanding of the artistic process a gratifying aspect of his work at Azule and his aesthetic, shaped by his childhood in Sandy Mush and a love of Western North Carolina nature, integrates organically with Camille’s vision for Azule. Christopher works with his parents at Sandy Mush Herb Nursery, where he lives with his wife, Lorrie, and his daughters, Lillian and Miriam.



Kevin Duckett 
Kevin Duckett is a farmer and leatherworker, who also hails from Sandy Mush, North Carolina, where he lives on the family farm with three generations. He likes working with Camille because she “understands the practical side of doing something. She has a good grasp of both sides of the creative process ­and she makes a good cup of coffee.” He and Christopher are partners in various projects
including the “gulley” water feature and walking trail at Azule.

Bios by Miriam Jayne
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A word from Camille regarding the outdoor work:

What Happened at Azule in January and February?
                                                                                                    

Azule’s First Monthly
Pot Luck

In January 2016, Azule hosted its first monthly Pot Luck supper to launch the New Year. Neighbors, friends, and members of the Sweet 16 Skillshare gathered to share some downright yummy food and warm fellowship. The night was capped with an open mic, a tremendous sharing of talent that included spoken word, singing, dance, movement, poetry, and visual art.


                                                                                                        James Harris 
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Sweet Sixteen
Skill Share                    

From January 15-17 Azule was alive with the SWEET SIXTEEN in 2016 SkillShare. The house filled with artists and activists who shared in workshops, spoken word, poetry, dance, movement, visual art, and a dialogue on the irrational.

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A view
of the Azule and skillshare experience

 The participants perspective is revealed in the words of January Resident Nina Carroll:

"Another move forward onto my Spiritual and Personal Path"
 

What again are Azule's "skillshares?"

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