he Jackson County Green Energy Park is actively working to grow its sculpture garden and artistic presence. In addition to the pieces displayed onsite by tenants and friends of the park, JCGEP began hosting a yearly sculpture competition in 2008 to give local artists a place to showcase their work while beautifying the park. 

2010 Winner

Box of Souls
Stainless Steel
Bob Doster
Lancaster, SC
www.BobDoster.com
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Box of Souls is a contemporary sculpture fabricated by artist Bob Doster of Lancaster, SC. The piece is a constructed stainless steel box, cut away to reveal empty space in the shape of numerous geometric and representational figures including the sun and stars, humans and animals.

A winner of the 2007 Southern Arts Federation Award, Doster has had his sculptures displayed throughout the Southeastern United States and around the world. He is an internationally acclaimed sculptor whose unique style of metal art ranges from accent pieces with a whimsical feel to large-scale installed sculptures.

Doster has been providing artwork, educational programs, and arts resources to individuals, corporations, schools, and organizations for more than thirty years. Throughout his career he has focused on keeping the arts vibrant in his community by teaching pottery and sculpture to students of all ages. His commitment to engaging and educating youth was formally recognized in 2006, when he received the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner award for outstanding achievement and contributions to the arts. This award is the high­est honor South Carolina bestows on artists.

Box of Souls will be on display at the Green Energy Park through July 2011.

2009 Winner

Metamorphosis
Cor-ten Steel
Grace Cathey
Waynesville, NC
www.GraceCathey.com
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Cathey's sculpture, entitled Metamorphosis, is made of cor-ten steel and is interpretive of the metamorphosis of a butterfly from chrysalis to caterpillar to winged beauty.  Cathey entered the piece into the GEP's competition because she believes it "represents the change that takes place at the Green Energy Park" from landfill trash to methane to art. 

Cathey specializes in site-specific works, and currently has sculptures displayed at the visitor's kiosk in Cherokee, on Main Street in Hendersonville, in Chimney Rock Park, and in downtown Waynesville.  She owns and operates the Grace Cathey Sculpture Garden and Gallery located in the Walker Service Station in Downtown Waynesville.  Along with being the President of the Waynesville Gallery Association, Cathey is a member of Tri State Sculptors, the Haywood County Arts Council, the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA).  She was chosen as Alumni of the year for 2009 at Haywood Community College. 

2008 Winner

Box #3
Wood and Steel
Blaine Johnston
Waynesville, NC
RedfStudios.com
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(Photo by Anna Fariello)

2008 Winner

Box #4 Belly of the Beast
Steel
Blaine Johnston
Waynesville, NC
RedfStudios.com
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WCU graduate Blaine Johnston was the winner of the first annual sculpture competition.  Two of Blaine's metal sculptures were chosen by a panel of local artists and educators for installation at the park.  Johnston's works are monumental metal sculptures with a commanding presence.  Both "Box #3" and "Box #4" are fabricated out of steel.  Their rusted surface compliments the parks natural beauty, while the enormity of their scale commands attention.  

Blaine Johnston is an accomplished wood worker and sculptor, as well as a third generation furniture maker.   A recent graduate of Western Carolina University, Johnston received his BFA in sculpture.  He currently lives in Waynesville with his wife, where they operate Red F Studios.  Johnston is a member of the Tri State Sculptors, as well as the Carolina Arts Council.