“Resilient Mural”

Painted with soft pastels on Bristol paper, this inclusive mural concept is based on open and detailed communications during consultation with Agricultural Extension Agents for Alleghany County, Cindy Atwood of the Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc., and the American Folk life Center under Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Life Collection.

Each element has a special meaning that visually tells the story of agricultural history in Alleghany County, North Carolina. The following images visualize a small, yet brilliant window into a beautiful countryside and the generations of inspired farmers.

Listen to the story of the mural

Doreyl Ammons Cain… Writer, Mural Artist & Speaker

Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Doreyl grew up drawing birds in the sand on the dirt roads around her home. Receiving her first art award in third grade, Doreyl went on to win the South Carolina State Art award for teenagers, a scholarship to Furman University and an art scholarship to the University of South Carolina.

Later, in California, while achieving a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts degree in Biological/Medical Art through California State University at Long Beach, she won “The Best in the West Art Award” three years in a row. Her dreams became a reality as she worked in about every artistic venue—

Storyboarding for films (both independent and major studios like Disney), “Journey into the Body,” “Female and Neonatal Anatomy,” “Heart Light” heart exhibit, “Cell Wars,” cancer cell multimedia exhibit.

During this time she exhibited her works of fine art in group and individual shows at the:
– Smithsonian Institute, “Simply Beautiful, Art in Science,” 1989.
– The Pentagon, Air Force Exhibitions in Washington DC, 1988.
– Traveling art exhibitions in museums (Los Angeles Museum of Arts & Sciences)- ‘Cell Wars’ exhibit on cancer cells, 1987.
– University of Southern California School of Medicine- “The Drew Project” on neonatal development, 1987.
– 1988-1990- she founded a health care marketing & advertising firm, Creative Endeavors.

Visit Doreyl’s website here