Grace Cathey is the artist behind this metal sculpture gallery experience. In an effort to spruce up the gas station, she and her husband, Clayton, can now appeal to the customer and the art admirer. Expanding the gallery experience outside, Cathey created a sculpture garden this summer. Joseph Cathey designed it to include a small waterfall, trees, plants, rocks and several of Cathey's metal sculptures including Erma, a life-sized silvery sculptured ostrich. For Cathey, the sculpture garden enhances the idea of a pedestrian-friendly, walkable community in downtown Waynesville.
People can shop for a book, get their car worked on, enjoy lunch and stroll over to the garden.
Sculpture has a way of catching people's attention, Cathey explains. You pause for a moment and find something unexpected. A weaver-turned sculptor, Cathey has been working with metal sculptures for several years now. Waynesville Mayor Henry Foy will present the award to Cathey at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, in front of town hall where the sculpture has been displayed. We border the Great Smoky Mountains and the bear is the most thought-of animal when you think of the Great Smokies.