Staff Testimonials Part Two
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Guest post from Alicia Araya, Azule Coordinator. Part Two of a glimpse into the folks who keep Azule running. To read the rest, click here.
"Jim and I first moved to the area in 2011, after giving up on the Atlanta city life (or it gave up on us, more like). For the first 6 months to a year here, our only objective was to hike, swim, explore Madison County and our own creative potential as it unfolded in a low-stakes, natural setting.
At some point, savings depleted, we began casting about for something remunerative to do - and just like Robin and Marcos below, we found that all the random driftwood that exists in the area made a great canvas in which to marry both Jim and my creative skillsets - writing and drawing.
[...] It was right around the time I successfully funded this project that I met Camille and saw Azule for the first time..."
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Robin Croft + Marcos Smyth
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Robin and Marcos were our art residents during October and November. They came to Azule from the DC area, bringing with them their organically-constructed, architectural ephemeral constructions, and leaving a semi-permanent mark on Azule’s landscape.
Interested in driftwood nonpermanent art installations for years, Robin and Marcos have created epic, bold sculptures around the Potomac River region, such as this amazing piece that brought to sharp relief to all residents of the nation’s capital the plight of political refugees:
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“Earlier this week, [Marcos] watched as four crowded tour buses — probably on their way toward Mount Vernon — slowed to round the bend where the sculpture is visible from the GW Parkway.
“A lot of those people must have seen that, looking out to the river,” Marcos said. “I was trying to imagine their shock at seeing something like that in the river and what kinds of thoughts that generated in their minds.”
by John Kelly, Washington Post, 2016
photo credit: Marcos Smyth
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The installation at Azule consisted of two separate scenarios - via Marcos Smyth’s handiwork, a dramatic scene with five characters playing out a drama we can only imagine, and, via Robin Croft, a proscenium arch that frames Azule and the wood sculpture’s antics. When viewers stand behind Robin’s arch, a strange frozen scene from a long-forgotten play emerges, with the central figures lounging in the foreground, while the Azule structure serves as backdrop.
In a way, their installation encapsulates life at Azule - artists and writers, dreamers and schemers, families and collaborators all come, do their thing, then leave, to be replaced by myriad others - the Azule structure a silent and amused witness to all that has unfolded in this space for over 40 years.
Not only did these fine sculptors leave Azule a gift that will last for a while, they also helped improve the house in numerous ways. We are grateful to have known these fine artists and hope to see them again soon.
To see more about Robin, visit here
To see more Robin + Marcos installations, visit here
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Robin and Marcos at work, building the large driftwood installation, discuss their collaboration, and are shown at work.
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Wood Shed Update - Amazing progress on the wood shed! This, as well as other home improvements, have occupied much of Camille's time.
For years, decades-worth of debris cluttered the area below this classic rural structure. After cleaning it out, we sought to firm up the foundations, by replacing rotting beams and shoring up the back wall with magnificent stonework by Andrew Hesed and others. Stone steps now connect this exterior work space to the upstairs which will be fixed next.
Other future goals for this building are a porch that extends out towards the creek.
Stay tuned for photo updates on other projects, such as the new efficiency apartment in the old ping pong palace, and renewal of the mosaic work.
In order to continue uninterrupted these magnificent improvements, please consider making a donation to Azule so as to bring 2022 in with style.
photo credits: Gary Roy
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A big thanks to Philip Solomon and the folks at Artisun Gallery for donating display space for Azule since Fall of 2019. Azule’s current home-at-Artisun is on the piano donated by Kiana and Maia Crosby to commemorate the tragic loss of their mom, Christina. The Crosby family is beloved in this community, and we're proud of the association. Whoever plays this instrument keeps Christina’s spirit alive, as well as activating Azule’s magic with each song.
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AZULE Portrait Project
All these years you have been part of the ongoing
AZULE Portrait Project
Hundreds of these portraits are now on canvas and ready for you to sign. The AZULE PORTRAIT PROJECT is for us a way to parallel the continuity that Camille has shown in her building Azule - the place.
Representing you, participants to the Fall event, and asking you to sign and add a memory or thought to your picture is deepening your and our relationship to Azule in Bluff, Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina...
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TO ALL DONORS:
Thank you so much for helping AZULE board members and volunteers to move AZULE on its necessary journey.
Come, visit and participate. Invite your friends! THANK YOU:
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Annette Thornton
Bunny Halton Subkis
Barbara and Tom Moloney
Sue Gurnee
Selinde & Laird Lanier
Beth & Jim Milar
Kathy De Nobriga
Genevieve Carbonneau
Jesse French
Ashley Minner
Eleanor Brownfield
Todd Gordon and Susan Feder Grant
Karen Bowen Fund
MK Wegmann
Isabel Shankle
Andrew and Natalie Hesed
Deborah Scott
Martha E Metzl
Jennifer Warpole
Lisa Q Mount
Susan Ivy and Jackson Alexander
Randy Bell
Amy DeCamp
Gone to Seed
Andrew Gordon
Sean Hovendick
Roger French
Andrew Simkus
Nancy Darrell
Dan Brawley
Jeremy Smith
Gary Roy
Alyssa Evetts
Roxann Colwell
Amanda Levesque
Marya Oakes
Jennifer Elzweig
Mariella Bisson
Shane Wilson
Madison County Arts Council
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Sherry Wilson
John Kretschmer
Nathalie Preuschen
Cornelia Rogan
Artisun Gallery & Cafe
Stephanie Waldron
Carolyn Lewellen
Charles And Kate Van Nort
Maxine Dalton
Erin Brooker Miller And Andy Miller
Barbara Quigley
Amy Horwitz
Bud And Deborah Dare
Sarah Burgher
Arlette Vaccarino
James And Pamela Fisher
Doug Wheelock
Takia Dickens
Olivier Rollin
Nancy J Fink
Valerie Molnar
Maxine Backus
Gwylene Gallimard
Jean Marie Mauclet
Susan Crowell
Shannon Turner
Lynda Scott
Eve Bower
Renee Clemmer
Sue Schroeder
John Malped
John Kraus
Harold Finley
Lynda Wheelock
Pierce Edens
Elmer Hall
Christopher Jayne
Lady Spirit Moon Cerelli
Anne Mclaughlin
Rebecca Gahagan
Spring Creek Community Center
Danni Speight
Bluff Mountain Nursery
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You are all invited!
AZULE may bring you the opportunity to meet great artists, attend a SkillsShare or learn about a traditional Appalachian Skill, experience a rejuvenating space for residencies, retreats, staff or wellness meetings. Come and visit, give us a call.
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Supporting AZULE can happen in many ways! CHECK OUT OUR WISH LIST:
Tiles of any sort
Folding Chairs
Electric Heaters
Stools
Clips on Lamps
Lighting Kits for Photography
iPhone/iPod accessories for social media (IE mics, light kits, etc)
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Folding Tables
Easels
Tools
Musical Instruments
Mattresses
CASH DONATIONS or
IN-KIND VOLUNTEER WORK
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A donation can be made to azuleart@gmail.com via paypal, or via check to 190 Rabbit Den Rd Hot Springs NC 28743.
As well, IRA-holders required to make a required minimum distribution can donate to a non-profit as part of this distribution. The manager of the IRA will have more details.
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For a visit of AZULE: call Camille at 828-622-3533
For information on AZULE's programs, to make a proposal, to apply for a residency or retreat, to book AZULE or to register for any of our offerings, visit AZULE website www.AZULE.org and e-mail us at AZULEart@gmail.com
(image courtesy of Britney Penouilh, past Azule resident)
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190 Rabbit Den Rd
Hot Springs, NC 28743
AZULEart@gmail.com
FOR A VISIT, call CAMILLE 828-622-3533
FOR INFORMATION, on applying for residency email SHANNON azulehotsprings@gmail.com
See you on FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/azuleart/
See you on INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/azule.arts
See AZULE IMAGINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VIStnESkU
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"The transformation that occurred within our group could not have manifested as graciously had we not been in the beautiful and deeply accommodating environment of AZULE. This place has nourished me and allowed for a sweet opening of my mind and heart. Thank you." Liana Johannaber from GO, Green Opportunities, Asheville, NC.
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