What we do…
Supporting emerging artists, expanding opportunities, and helping creative voices reach new audiences. Below you’ll find examples of just of few of the artists we support!
The Path Forward Foundation sponsored emerging artist Anna Bryant to participate in the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Hear directly from Anna about her work and what this support means for her artistic journey.
Emerging Artist Dani Easley was also sponsored at The Craft Fair of The Southern Highlands this year. Dani is a jewelry artist whose video can share her perspective on the foundation’s support and impact on her creative work.
A huge thank you to our sponsors for this year’s Blue Ridge Ball! Each of you brings something unique to the event, and we’re so grateful for your support. We couldn’t make this event happen without you!
The mission of The Path Forward Foundation is to foster a vibrant and resilient Western North Carolina creative community by providing resources and support to artists, makers and small businesses, with a focus on overcoming hardship and building for the future. Learn more
Our mission
YOU CAN STILL DONATE TO THIS YEAR’S FUNDRAISER!
The Path forward foundation: supporting western north carolina recovery
The path forward merchandise
One of the special features in Blue Star Gallery is a small section promoting the sale of The Path Forward Foundation merchandise. We have original prints, framed and unframed, in addition to hats, t-shirts, water bottles and handbags. Fifty percent of the proceeds from these goes to our foundation's charity.
The prints are special because they represent the beginning of the foundation. Let me explain. Babette and I were at a Steep Canyon Rangers charity concert in Charlotte N.C. shortly after Hurricane Helen devastated WNC in late September of 2024. We both were touched by the message of Graham Sharp, the lead song-writer and banjo player for the band, on how folks could help support Helene recovery beyond donations. The next day I emailed Graham and discussed how we could help their cause.
This immediately turned into Babette painting three beautiful landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains to be sold at another SCR charity concert in Graham's hometown, Greensboro, N.C. Babette also managed to get hats and t-shirts ready in just over two weeks. She's amazing. We sold the paintings at the silent auction with proceeds from all merchandise sales going to SCR's cause.
That led to the formation of our Foundation of which Graham now is a board member and we continue to sell items to benefit the cause of helping artists and musicians impacted by Helene.
I love telling this story because it all happened like it was meant to be, and it continues to be a big part of our lives now that we are living in West Asheville.
So take a look at the merch. We also have a new logo designed by our associate, Sumner Elysia. We'll have new merch with that logo in time for our Oct. 10 fundraiser that you'll be reading more about in the near future.
Sincerely,
David Newton
Rebuilding a community is not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about rebuilding hope, trust, and togetherness.
*Distribution of Foundation funds is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of The Path Forward Foundation for purposes consistent with the foundation's exempt purposes.