New watercolor art exhibit at The North Carolina Arboretum captures beauty and magic of Western North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE: 

This summer, visitors to The North Carolina Arboretum, a 434-acre public garden located just south of Asheville, will see Western North Carolina in a beautiful, delicate light at the Arboretum’s newest exhibit, The Magic of Western North Carolina. On display May 28 through September 5, 2016, inside the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center, the exhibit is produced by artist James Scott Morrison, an award-winning watercolorist and self-taught realist from Hendersonville, N.C. From a quaint house in Bat Cave, to buskers in Pack Square, to the peaceful, flowing water of Mills River, The Magic of Western North Carolina features more than 80 realistic watercolor paintings of the landscapes, life and landmarks in the Blue Ridge Mountain area of western North Carolina.
A veteran and retired aerospace professional, James Scott Morrison was first introduced to painting at an early age by his father, Morie, who rendered cartoons for a nationally syndicated sports comic strip. As a pilot during the Cold War, Morrison quickly learned about particular hues while flying and was fascinated by the sky’s vibrant sunsets and dramatic cloud formations. Only three years after exchanging his pilot’s seat for a chair in corporate life, Morrison suffered a heart attack at the young age of 34, and it was his father who suggested the paintbrush as a stress reliever. During the next 14 years of his business career, Morrison’s pursuit of watercolor and art worked in parallel to his commitment to the aerospace industry. His international travels allowed him to study books on watercolor techniques and practice in a small, portable sketchbook using three collapsible brushes. In 1989, Morrison retired and moved to Hendersonville, N.C. with his paintbrushes in tow.

“For a watercolor artist, western North Carolina is quite an incredible place,” said Morrison. “From its pastoral landscapes, to its architecture, to its people, the region is so full of emotion and character that it’s easy to connect with my subjects. I hope that this exhibit provides those same connections to the viewers.”

“Mr. Morrison’s attention to detail and refinement with watercolor bring to life many wonderful qualities of our region, and capture both simple and expansive moments that we often see here at the Arboretum,” said George Briggs, executive director of The North Carolina Arboretum. “Our visitors will be moved by the beauty of our mountain region as expressed by Mr. Morrison’s deft hand. We are honored to exhibit the creativity of such a remarkable talent.”
The Magic of Western North Carolina is on display daily from May 28 through September 5, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center. All paintings are available for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The North Carolina Arboretum Society. In addition, Morrison will conduct free watercolor demonstrations every Saturday during the month of July at the Baker Exhibit Center upper level lobby. A list of classes can be found at www.ncarboretum.org/events. A newly published book of Morrison’s work will also available for purchase at the Arboretum’s Connections Gallery gift shop. For more information on the exhibit and James Scott Morrison, please visit ncarboretum.org.
Exhibit support provided in part by Smoky Mountain Living Magazine, iHeartMedia Asheville and Ahiflower.
About The North Carolina Arboretum

Each year more than 500,000 visitors experience the Arboretum’s gardens, trails, exhibits and plant shows, educational programs, demonstrations and lectures. The Arboretum’s ability to meet its mission and enrich the visitor experience is made possible by a community of supporting resources – from members, volunteers and staff to state and local funds, tribute gifts, grants and community partners.
The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, is to cultivate connections between people and plants. A standard $12 per vehicle parking fee is required for non-members. Special events and after-hours activities may require additional fees. For more information, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit ncarboretum.org.