Appalachian Folklore warns "Don't look in the trees", "If you hear your name called in the woods, you didn't" and "If you hear whistling at night, you didn't". Cautionary tales designed to protect adventurous types or mischievous children from danger. Well, likely. These mountains are old, the oldest mountain chain on the planet in fact. They hold a lot of History, Spiritual Mythology and Folk Magic both dark and ethereal. The woods are home to venomous snakes, wild animals and harsh elements.The warning to not look in the trees was likely a way to keep people focused on where they were walking, to be cautious while traveling through the woods. The old locals believed that there were spirits hidden in the trees and otherworldly creatures lurking just out of sight. If you hear your name called on an isolated trail don't answer! The lore believes that it is a trick attributed to prankish creatures that roam the woods. Similarly, be wary of whistling at night. It is considered an omen of danger and is thought to be the work of Haints, restless spirits, wandering the woods. So don't acknowledge it.
This folklore exists as a reminder to be cautious and respectful while living in these mountains. In the spirit of many other cultures, Appalachian tales offer wisdom to help folks navigate the land safely.
Beneath the Calm / Outpost Gallery . Asheville NC
After Hurricane Helene reshaped the Asheville landscape, what remained was not just physical destruction-it was a quiet internal storm. Beneath the Calm explores the aftermath or trauma through a solitary figure entangled in the roots of a tree, representing the unseen emotional weight carried long after the storm dies down. What appears serene on the surface holds deep unrest below. This piece invites viewers to consider the invisible process of healing, and the strength it takes to remain still in the storm's wake.
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