By Crystal Cauley –
Black residents of Hendersonville and its environs are using their artistic creativity to paint the city with hope and empowerment.
Showcasing Artist Diamond Cash
The first piece of art commissioned for the 2024 celebration is “Legacy,” painted by professional artist Diamond Cash. The painting pays homage to Henderson County’s Black History and was commissioned by Crystal Cauley, the founder of the Black History Collective of Henderson County. It was unveiled at Hendersonville’s first Black Arts and Craft Exhibition on March 23, 2019 and led to a Certificate of Commendation from City of Hendersonville Mayor Barabara Volk for both Cash’s and Cauley’s efforts.
Cash herself has set a milestone as the first Black woman painting three public art murals in a city that was established in 1847. The first, “Legacy,” is inside The People’s Museum on Main Street; two others, “Hendo” and “Bears Crossing,” are located on 5th Avenue.
Diamond Cash was the first Black artist to participate in designing the “Celebration Bear” for the Bearfootin’ Art Walk when Hendersonville celebrated 175 years since its founding. She also created the Tiger as the mascot for the all-Black Ninth Avenue School Alumni. Both are located at the new Laura E. Corn Mini Golf park.
Self-taught artist Frank Black painted the beautiful signage for Brooklyn Creek Bird Sanctuary located in Sullivan Park. And Billy “Art” Smith painted a new mural for Hendersonville Rescue Mission on 7th Avenue. Meanwhile, young JT Williams has begun his career at the age of eight, with a traveling Black History Art exhibit in Hendersonville.
The Dashing Dashiki
Henderson County’s Career Academy has chosen the Dashiki…
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