Kenilworth opens for annual studio tour
Kenilworth has never followed a straight line. In fact, legend has it that founder James “Jake” Chiles let his horse Frank wander the hillside and built the neighborhood’s streets wherever the animal chose to roam. That winding, whimsical character still defines the community, and it’s part of what drew painter Pat Crowl to settle there in 2019. “Kenilworth is a great neighborhood with mature landscaping, a mix of old and new homes, and charming … streets,” she says. In her studio, Crowl starts with a textured acrylic base, then builds layers of watercolor, collage, or crayon. The process is playful but deliberate, yielding abstracts, florals, and landscapes that strike a balance between spontaneity and structure. “Each new painting is a chance to try a new color palette or an unconventional composition,” she says. Visitors can see Crowl’s work at the home of ceramic artist Joan Pennington, one of more than two dozen stops on this year’s Kenilworth Artists Association Studio Tour. A portion of sales will support Loving Food Resources, a nonprofit pantry serving people in hospice care and those living with HIV/AIDS across Western North Carolina.
The Kenilworth Artists Association Studio Tour is slated for October 11-12, 10am-5pm. See kenilworthartists.org.