A group of concerned citizens has spent the year forming an organization dedicated to preserving the frescoes painted at two local churches. Members of the organization – Ashe County Frescoes Foundation – appeared before the board of commissioners in May to announce their plans and seek support. Dr. Garrett Briggs, president, spoke again at the Dec. 7 commission meeting to update the board on the foundation’s progress.

Griggs said the foundation’s main goal is to preserve the frescoes for their intrinsic value to both the church community and the county’s tourism industry. Since the frescoes were painted in the 1970s, tens of thousands of tourists have come to the county specifically to see them. This has been a boon to the county’s tourism industry, and the foundation members felt the frescoes and their host churches need protecting.

Because most of the members of the two tiny Episcopal churches – St. Mary’s in West Jefferson and Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs – are older and unable to maintain upkeep of the buildings and paintings, the foundation was formed to assist, said Griggs.

The foundation is made up of nine members, four who are Episcopalian, affiliated with the churches, and five who are not. Griggs said having the majority non-Episcopalian will keep the foundation from seeming like a group focused on the interests of one denomination. The whole purpose of the foundation, he said, is to focus on the tourism aspect of the frescoes. The group has achieved federal and state tax exempt status and has received about $7,600 in funding. The foundation has pledged $100 a week for seven months to the two churches to help with the costs of keeping the churches clean and maintained for the thousands of visitors. They also hope to upgrade the antiquated toilet facilities, maintain the parking areas and upgrade security.

The foundation board members are: Garrett Briggs, president; Peter Brandt, vice-president; Gene Hafer, treasurer; Gwen Ashley, secretary; Millie Barbee, Michael Bell, Scott Sears, Molly Gambill and Shirley Long. They meet quarterly, and are planning a program of funding support. A website has been established at www.ashefrescoes.com, and is in the process of being upgraded.

Painted by artist Ben Long in the 1970s, the frescoes are Ashe County’s major tourist attraction, and, as such they are an indispensable mainstay of the region’s economic development, states the website. After viewing the frescoes, those same tens of thousands of visitors typically head for the local stores, restaurants, galleries, parks and recreational areas.

Learn more about the frescoes and their creator at www.ashefrescoes.com.