On Display

Sculptures are popping up around Cashiers. First two, then four, now seven. Some will remain; others will cycle out. It is a growing collection of modern work by regional creatives. Placed along public walking trails, these sculptures offer moments for pause, reflection and contemplation. They are visual works, but they inspire conversations—internally, among friends and within Cashiers. The project is an initiative of Vision Cashiers, a non-profit focused on community improvement.

For decades, residents have aspired to make Cashiers more walkable. Recently, Vision Cashiers collaborated with the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC) and Jackson County to create “Walk Cashiers.” This community campaign expands the Cashiers Greenway Ramble (CGR) with a five-mile network of pathways, boardwalks, sidewalks and community spaces that feature improved surface materials, lighting, fiber internet and green spaces throughout. Inspired by successful public art greenways in neighboring counties and states, Vision Cashiers formed the Public Art Task Force (PATF) to enhance these trails for all who enjoy them, striving to create opportunities for residents and visitors of Cashiers to experience elevated, thought-provoking art that complements its community character.

Vision Cashiers attributes the initiative’s success to the generosity of its donors and Crossroads Society members, as well as the volunteers who spend countless hours researching artists, speaking with private landowners, and securing agreements. “We hope to continue introducing a mixture of renowned artists from the Southeast and regional emerging artists, creating critical vocational junctures to expose local artistic talent,” shares Barbara Jamison, Vision Cashiers PATF leader.

Since 2023, four sculptures were installed in collaboration with The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts: “Albert,” by Doug McAbee, at The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau (BGCP); “Butterfly Effect,” by Georgia Watts, at McKinney Meadow; “Diversions,” by Kyle Lusk at Slab Town Plaza; and “Silviu,” by MG Morrow at the CACC Thomas Taulbee Memorial entrance to the CGR.

While not all sculptures are on loan through The Bascom, all are displayed for two years unless permanently funded. Because Cashiers is unincorporated, each piece requires approval from private landowners. Art can be financed in several ways. A private property owner may purchase the piece; when BGCP decided to keep “Albert,” they secured grants and private donations. Additionally, sculptures may be gifted as a permanent installation to private property owners through Vision Cashiers. These permanent installations are the core of the growing CGR sculpture collection. Lastly, all pieces are available for purchase by private collectors. After the two-year loan agreement, if the sculpture is not purchased, it is returned to the artist, and a new piece is installed.

This season, residents and visitors can expect several new visual experiences. “Mind the Gap,” on loan by J. Aaron Alderman of Brevard, NC, can be found on Frank Allen Road near the entrance to the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center. A snapshot of movement and strength, “Mind the Gap” features a figure in a gymnastic pose. “The interior planes of each column have been inscribed with a stream of consciousness about minding the gap. The gap can be the physical gap the figure is hovering over or an internal gap to be determined by the viewer,” says Alderman. Internal gaps include conflicting feelings, beliefs, or two opposing sides facing each other, with the figure maneuvering above. “I was very conscious to keep the figure out of the space between the two columns, keeping the toes above that gap.”

Also on Frank Allen Road, five deer silhouettes by Jim Collins of Signal Mountain, TN, will be “grazing” on top of the hill. Best known for his “Watcher” series, Collins’ figurative silhouettes can be found in public spaces from New York to Texas, with over 20 works located throughout Chattanooga, TN. “Diversions,” by Kyle Lusk, reached the end of its two-year term in 2025 and has been replaced by “Reawakening,” on loan by Wesley Wofford at Slab Town Plaza. Wofford, an Academy Award-winning sculptor of national acclaim, has operated his studio in Cashiers for over 20 years. He is known for his monumental works, such as “Sowing the Seeds of the Future,” located on the Women’s History Trail in Franklin, NC.

“Gothic Doorway,” on loan by Beau Lyday of Valdese, NC, is on the portion of the CGR between the CACC and the Hotel Cashiers’ parking lot. Nestled in a wooded sitting area, this spiritual homage to the quiet grandeur of sacred spaces serves as a mental health pause point on the CGR. “For me, ‘Gothic Door’ is a portal—a resonant gateway into a natural cathedral where the sacred is felt more than seen,” Lyday shares. A QR code lists relevant information about the artist as well as links to local mental health resources. By creating links to historical or environmental information, nonprofits and the local narratives within the QR codes turn Cashiers into an outdoor gallery and classroom. “Not only should Cashiers' public art allow for cultural enrichment, but it should operate as a catalyst for instilling a passion for the wonderful place we call home,” insists Jamison.

To contribute, consider walking the trail and spreading the good news about Cashiers becoming more walkable. Read the bios and artist statements for each piece and follow those artists on social media to support their work. If you have the time and skillset to volunteer, consider joining a Vision Cashiers Task Force or becoming a Crossroads Society member. Finally, if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Public Art or WALK CASHIERS initiatives, contact Vision Cashiers. www.VisionCashiers.com/Public-Art