“The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Color Them.” The series features hand-marbled paintings created on vintage topographical maps of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These historic Forest Service maps — layered with floating pigments — transform familiar contour lines into vibrant landscapes that invite viewers to rediscover places they may have hiked or loved for years.

Given the nature of the marbling process, each piece is one-of-a-kind. In the wake of Hurricane Helene and the shifts our region has experienced, these maps have taken on even greater meaning.

A LIFE IN ART & PLACE Pam’s connection to the mountains goes beyond aesthetics — it reflects years of hiking, observation, and naturalist study, rooted in a fascination with fossils, waterways, and the profound interplay of the Appalachian landscape. Her artistic journey spans decades of experimentation and engagement with materials, nature, and community. A lifelong creative and educator, she has taught marbling and mixed media across the Southeast and actively supports local art initiatives in Asheville through workshops, demonstrations, and collaborations. Her work is grounded in reverence for the natural world, and a deep love of storytelling through visual expression.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION “The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Color Them” features marbled topographical maps of the Western North Carolina region. Each piece layers vibrant pigment atop archived contour lines, creat ing rhythm, texture, and renewed ways of seeing familiar terrain. The series bridges science, history, and art, illuminating our mountain world in both abstract beauty and geographic specificity.

PAM’S INSPIRATION FOR THE SHOW Upon acquiring a collection of topographic maps of the National Forests in Western North Carolina, Pam immediately knew she could marble and print designs on top of them. As she started the process,

Pam learned the characteristics of the paper and how long it could float on the size before it was too weak to support itself being lifted off the tray with her hands. Many mistakes were made and a few maps were torn in the process.

Then Pam started looking at each map, attempting to determine if she had hiked in the region and what landmarks/forms were nearby. Each group of maps were marbled in a different color grouping or pattern. Pam looked at the maps and decided where the colors were to be placed – all in reverse as these were prints. As she went deeper into the project, Pam designed more and more white areas amid diverse shifting colors to create unique art pieces, rather than maps which were completely marbled over.

An eye-opening revelation occurred as she researched the history surrounding each location. Regrettably, Pam realized, it wasn’t until this project that she learned the depth of our Native American Cherokees story – who cared for this piece of earth long before the white colonial settlers moved in.

Pam’s hope: that we all learn with her about our heritage in these mountains and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ground we hike and bike on. “Let us all care for this land which has been impacted not only by natural events like Hurricane Helene, but also ravaged or permanently altered by humans following European discovery and settlement.” ~ Pam Granger Gale