Faces of Asheville returns

Thanks to a lot of community support, the Faces of Asheville project — an effort to get portraits of the city’s unique denizens — is back.

When local artist/photographer Jenny Bowen‘s house was broken into Aug. 18, the thieves took her camera and hard drive and broke the lights she had been using for the project. The break-in left the project’s future in doubt.

Now, just a little more than four months later, an outpouring of local support has enabled the project to not just continue but to be even grander in scope and scale this time.

“The community really came through,” says Bowen (whose self-portrait from the project is pictured here). “A lot of [people] started calling me, offering their support. I started getting checks in the mail, getting cash donations from people who had participated.”

Kitty Love, organizer of the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (and one of Bowen’s original portrait subjects) arranged a silent auction at this year’s Festival. The $1,200 it raised allowed Bowen to get another camera and lenses. Grants from the Asheville Arts Council, as well as getting studio space at the Wedge Gallery, have made the project a reality again, though she continues to seek donations, as lights and some other equipment is still needed.

Originally aiming for 100 portraits, Bowen now says she won’t turn anybody away — and that she’s shooting for 500, hoping to finish the project by April. Other plans include a book and a gallery showing, and she still plans to donate the results of the project to the city’s historical archives.

Those interested can apply at the project’s Web site, which also includes some of the surviving portraits, the “Faces of Asheville” story and a long list of those Bowen thanks for their support.

— David Forbes, staff writer

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

5 thoughts on “Faces of Asheville returns

  1. Jason Bugg –
    You wish.
    … well… maybe this time around.

    Seriously though – sign up.
    With your wife. 3 some.
    *wink*
    Hope to see you there – JB

  2. marissa

    oh girl, i’m so happy for you!
    if you need any help with this (or someone there to keep you company late one night) i’m there.

Leave a Reply to Jason Bugg ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.