George Bundrick is a representational oil painter based in Asheville, North Carolina. Their work is focused on the connections between people and place, as well as the relationships that occur within, especially in their locale of Southern Appalachia. Intimate portraits and landscapes provide a look into the emotional impact of one's environment, and the value of deep personal relationships. Drawing upon experiences of self-discovery and bonding in the wilderness, Bundrick uses the traditions of 19th Century Naturalist painters to construct their narrative scenes. Currently a senior in the University of North Carolina Asheville's BFA Painting program, Bundrick aims to continue their art education, with the goal of eventually teaching drawing and painting.

Susan Andrew is Development Director for RiverLink, a local land trust and the only conservation organization focused on the French Broad River and her tributaries. Susan earned two degrees in biology from University of Michigan, which led to a doctoral study of bowerbirds along the Ramu River in Papua New Guinea. She arrived in Asheville in 1995 to serve as staff ecologist with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, working to conserve species and habitats found in high-quality lands and waters of the mountains from Virginia to Alabama. After her children started school, Susan worked as a  Journalist, earning state-level recognition for her investigations of environmental contamination at dozens of sites in Buncombe County. She enjoys any opportunity to explore the natural areas of the region—including places still bearing the scars, one year after Helene.

Kristen Lopez was born in New Haven, CT, but has since relocated to beautiful Asheville, NC. She lives in her home with her pets and husband, and is very happy. While she enjoys many activities, her favorite things to do are read, work in the garden, work with clay, and spend time with her dogs. Kristen is a dual major in both Economics and Art at the University of North Carolina, and will be graduating in 2025.

George Terry McDonald's work is concerned with creating narratives from cultural history employing a variety of painterly techniques. From multi-layered allegory to agit-prop reportage, the intrigue of storytelling drives his expression. The beauty and horror of the natural world resonates throughout his work which includes mountain landscapes and waterfalls along with imaginative depictions of disasters such as the hellish carnage of Hurricane Helene. GTM entered the art world during the heyday of NYC's East Village Art Scene in the 1980's. He later got his MFA from USC working there during the LA Riots as the 1990's culture wars intensified. He has a solo show opening Sept 7 and running through November 15 at Static Age Records in Asheville and is currently teaching Drawing at App State University. GTM works at The Ramp Studios, 822 Riverside Drive on the edge of Asheville's River Arts District.

Allison Ward is a studio art major concentrating in photography and a minor in Spanish. While at UNCA she has done projects focusing on stories in the Western North Carolina area. She is originally from Charlotte, NC but has family roots in the mountains. After graduation in December of 2025 she plans to continue telling stories and doing documentary photography projects.

Matt West was born on Long Island, New York. His family moved and traveled the country before settling on the piedmont of North Carolina. He received a BFA from The University of North Carolina Asheville and an MFA from Clemson University. For ten years Matt and Joey Manson operated Silver Creek Studio, where they created one of a kind ornamental iron work and fabricated sculptures for other artists. Matt has taught at The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, Furman University, and is currently a Lecturer and Studio Technician for The University of North Carolina Asheville. "My work has always been based around the intersection between the nature and that which is constructed by humankind. Often taking something from my surroundings, and representing it in a reconsidered manner, exploiting the properties of the materials, objects or their actions. My work is devoid of the artist’s hand in order to enhance the materials communication, these materials are to be considered for their relationships and functions rather than my manipulations. My work strives to magnify these interactions and presents them to the viewer, emphasizing the delicate balance between the natural world and our creations."