Reception: Friday, August 23rd at 5pm, Upper Level Gallery

For the first time in close to four decades, a selection of drawings and paintings from the Will Henry Stevens estate will be exhibited in chronological order. Spanning the years between 1924 and 1949, the show will present abstract and representational works in gouache, oil, and pastel; staging the spirit of the southern landscape created by one of the most prolific Modernist painters in the American South. 

This exhibition will feature sculptures by Matt Byrd, a stone carver with a background in traditional stonemasonry. Byrd likens his stone sculptures to intricate puzzles; each carved piece may appear physically and visually simplistic, but once the sculpture is assembled, the complexity and tactfulness of the feat is quickly realized.

About the Estate of Will Henry Stevens:

For close to four decades, Blue Spiral 1 has served as the sole custodian of the Will Henry Stevens estate. This extensive collection, containing original paintings, drawings, and pastels, was thoughtfully acquired through the concerted efforts of John Cram, the posthumous proprietor of Blue Spiral 1, and Lynn Hill, Stevens' great-niece. Subsequently, through special exhibitions, collector and institution outreach, publications and art fairs, over 1,000 works of the Stevens estate have found residence in both prestigious museums and private collections across the country.

In following the footsteps of Stevens' ethos, Cram envisioned the estate not only as an archive of artistic achievement but also as an instrument for education and environmental stewardship. In 2006, imbued with this vision, Cram established the Will Henry Stevens Revolving Land Trust. To this day, this initiative allocates a portion of proceeds from Stevens' artwork towards the endowment of the trust. In turn, the fund extends support to regional land trusts, namely the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. By mobilizing resources to protect ecologically significant lands and waterways in Western North Carolina, the initiative epitomizes the convergence of artistry and environmental advocacy.

Recognizing that the trust has emerged as a beacon of conservation through its preservation of thousands of acres of land in North Carolina, Blue Spiral 1 looks to the future of the Stevens estate. Through the ongoing education of the enduring legacy of Stevens’ life and work, the gallery ensures the exploration, admiration, and appreciation of the estate by both current and future generations.