PRESS

Art History and Modern Art in Italy and America

Art History and Modern Art in Italy and America

By Meredith McBrideJun 15, 2023   FEATURE: Preserving a Picturesque America: PAPA’s Commitment to Saving Natural and Historic Places Through Art Scott “Doc” Varn set out for a hike at Yosemite National Park with the essentials—food, water, and a 28-pound book....

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America: the Land We Live In on PBS

America: the Land We Live In on PBS

Join “Doc” and co-host/photojournalist Sophia Michelin, along with many local personalities, on their quest to find the exact sites that inspired the original artwork of the 1870s. This PBS show traces the rediscovery of the beautiful places that had been featured in the original, 150-year-old publication, Picturesque America.

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Artists Begin Historic 80-mile Journey at Chimney Rock

Artists Begin Historic 80-mile Journey at Chimney Rock

In 1870, artist Harry Fenn trekked 80 miles along the French Broad River to sketch and document 12 beautiful natural places for the publication Picturesque America. This month, two artists are following in his footsteps to recreate this artwork, and they began their journey here at Chimney Rock State Park.

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Capturing America’s Beauty Then and Now

Capturing America’s Beauty Then and Now

A challenging comment from his 11-year-old son propelled Scott Varn on an exploration that has taken him around the country in an effort to preserve the beauty of America’s landscapes.

His journey led him to Peekskill recently where he found the modern day tableau of two scenes depicted in the mid 19th century magazine “Preserving A Picturesque America.”

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2021 in review: Arts leaders reflect on a tumultuous year

2021 in review: Arts leaders reflect on a tumultuous year

2021 in review: Arts leaders reflect on a tumultuous year Posted on December 26, 2021 by Edwin Arnaudin Xpress asked eight local members of the arts community to discuss the highs and lows of an unpredictable year. Featured below are reflections from Davaion “Spaceman...

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GivingTuesday 2021

GivingTuesday 2021

GivingTuesday is the international day of generosity happening on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.     Save this beautiful piece of ancient history! Paint Rock is North Carolina’s best-known example of an American Indian pictograph from 5,000 years ago. In 1880,...

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Using Art to Preserve Nature

Using Art to Preserve Nature

Fairview artist and printmaker Scott “Doc” Varn’s journey of discovery began in 2011 when he bought a few classic engravings of the French Broad River from an online estate auction.

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