Nature Sings, Opening May 17

The soft rustle of pine needles in the wind. The rhythmic tapping of woodpeckers. The gentle gurgle of a nearby creek. These are some of the melodic marvels artists with the Swannanoa Valley Art League will capture during the group’s latest exhibit, Nature Sings. According to a press release, the show “invites viewers to embark on a visual journey that resonates with the harmonies of the natural world.” As such, the Black Mountain gallery will become a “sanctuary where artists, inspired by the melodies of wind, water, and wildlife, translate the symphony of nature onto canvas.” Participating creatives include Cathy Green, a retired art educator who moved to the mountains in 2003. Since settling down, Green has drawn inspiration from the sights and sounds of the Swannanoa Valley, infusing her paintings with the “beauty of the natural world.” Her work ranges from sunflower still lifes to bucolic landscapes. No matter the subject matter, Green’s paintings are so vivid that you can’t help but hear the chirp of goldfinches and buzz of bees.