Last Updated on August 13, 2024 10:20 am
Boone, NC – (August 12, 2024) – The vibrant community of Boone is thrilled to announce theunveiling of the highly anticipated Hellbender Mural by renowned artist Josh Johnston. Thisstunning piece of public art, the last in the Center For Biological Diversity’s “EndangeredSpecies Mural Project” series, is located in the heart of downtown Boone on Howard Street. Themural celebrates the Hellbender, a long-lived giant salamander exclusively found in the easternUnited States. These “living fossils” represent healthy and abundant streams across SouthernAppalachia, and highlight the importance of preserving our local waterways. Like many aquaticspecies featured in the mural, Hellbender populations are on the decline throughout most oftheir range due to a combination of stressors such as habitat loss, sedimentation, pollution, andpredation.
The Hellbender Mural is a collaborative effort between several dedicated organizations,including The Center for Biological Diversity, Boone Town Council, Downtown BooneDevelopment Association, MountainTrue, Watauga Arts Council, and the Turchin Center for theVisual Arts. These partners have come together with a shared vision to raise awareness aboutlocal fauna and flora, while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship within thecommunity.
Andy Hill, the Watauga Riverkeeper, expressed his excitement about the mural, saying, “Thisartwork not only beautifies our downtown but also serves as a powerful reminder of theimportance of protecting our rivers and streams. Hellbenders are a vital indicator of waterquality, and this mural will inspire both residents and visitors to appreciate and safeguard ournatural resources.”
The mural's unveiling will be marked by a public ceremony on August 23, 2024 from 4-6pm,featuring remarks from the artist, representatives from the collaborating organizations and localofficials. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artist, learn more about the Hellbender,and engage in activities that promote environmental awareness.
Josh Johnston's artistic vision has brought to life the mysterious and captivating Hellbender,capturing its essence and the rich biodiversity of the region. The mural serves as a beacon ofconservation and a testament to the power of art in promoting ecological consciousness.
Join us in celebrating this magnificent addition to Boone's public art landscape and in supportingthe ongoing efforts to protect our waterways and wildlife. For more information about theunveiling ceremony and the Hellbender Mural project, please contact Lane Moody:[email protected].
About the Collaborators:The Center for Biological Diversity: A national nonprofit organization dedicated to theprotection of endangered species and their habitats.Downtown Boone Development Association: Focuses on the economic and culturaldevelopment of downtown Boone.Watauga Arts Council: Promotes the arts in Watauga County through various programs andinitiatives.MountainTrue: Champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities inWestern North Carolina.Turchin Center for the Visual Arts: Enhances the cultural landscape of the Appalachianregion through diverse and accessible visual arts programs.
Have you seen Hellbender?The public can help biologists in their conservation efforts by reporting hellbender observationsto the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and submitting their observations (date, location,photo) to [email protected]. Eastern hellbenders are a state-listed species of specialconcern, because they are a protected species in North Carolina, it is illegal to kill, harm, collect,harass or sell them.
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