A Sense of Place is an exhibit of photographs by Susan Mason and memories and impressions by community members who share a physical and emotional connection to the area known as the “Original” Down East. The exhibition opens on April 6 with a reception at 7 pm and runs through June 1, 2018.
Down East consists of thirteen communities (Cedar Island, Atlantic, Sea Level, Stacy, Davis, Williston, Smyrna, Marshallberg, Gloucester, Straits, Harkers Island, Otway, Bettie) east of North River Bridge.
These Down East communities have been designated part of the “National Scenic Byway”. Down East communities were settled hundreds of years ago and generations of people have lived a distinct and valued culture and heritage. We wish to share insight into the essence of this place and people.
Wallace Stegner interprets Sense of Place as “… talking about the knowledge of place that comes from working in it in all weathers, making a living from it, suffering from its catastrophes, loving its mornings or evenings or hot noons, valuing it for the profound investment of labor and feeling that you, your parents and grandparents, your all-but-unknown ancestors have put into it. He is talking about the knowing that poets specialize in.”
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center will host this exhibit. Come and learn more about this beautiful area through shared writings, photographs and sketches.
About Susan …
Susan Mason grew up “Down East” in Atlantic, NC, where she developed a great love for the natural world. She expresses her love of nature through art and photography.
Susan graduated from East Carolina University and taught secondary school for 26 years – the last 21 of those years were spent teaching in Inupiaq Eskimo villages in Artic Alaska. She has worked as a free lance illustrator in both North Carolina and Alaska and has illustrated; The Owl and the Red Fox, Similes for Mother and The Little Turkle.
Susan was selected to produce the 2007 White House Christmas Ornament for Cape Lookout National Seashore and the 2008 NC Seafood Festival poster. Her painting The Fisherman was selected by the Coastal Pastel Society as Best in Show in 2010.
Susan has exhibited both in Alaska and North Carolina and is a member of the Carteret County Arts Council, Arts and Crafts Coalition, NC Wildlife Artists Society and a lifetime member of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center.