Spark Spotlight: Artist Diamond Cash
There is an art revival in the heart of Western North Carolina, about twenty miles south of Asheville. It is a retelling of beautiful history, full of culture and perseverance. Talented artists are coming together to bring their point of view and unique spin on these amazing stories. Among them is Hendersonville, NC native Diamond Cash. Cash began exercising her talents at a young age. From coloring kits, books, to murals and art classes, she dedicates her inspiration for art to her family.
“I started with art as a very young child. My parents would buy me coloring kits, books, and all kinds of things to keep me busy,” Cash says. From there, she rose through the local Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County and began learning more about the arts. Upon graduating Hendersonville High School, Cash made a point to enroll in more art-focused courses such as graphic arts and fine arts, as well as playing in the orchestra. This led to her decision to pursue higher education in arts, earning a B.A. in Studio Arts through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She has now been working with adults with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) for almost five years.
Cash's Love for art comes from more than just a desire to tell stories from her own heart – she also wants to help others learn to do the same. Cash hosts “Sip and Paint” classes locally, another amazing feat which she credits to the help of her family, who all came out for her very first class. Her Sip and Paint classes have evolved through the years, and are now mobile to reach more of her community. With her talent, she has won two downtown sidewalk painting competitions.
She is also passionate about reaching the African American community to encourage participation in artistic endeavors and hopes to reconnect with the African American community in her hometown to encourage artistic growth. “In my hometown there are not many African American artists. I would love to reach back out to the younger crowd and teach and show those who are interested that it is possible, and it is okay to continue and do something that you love to do,” she says
Recently, Cash became involved with Crystal Cauley, advocate of the African American community and founder of Black Business Network of WNC and Black History Collective of Henderson County, NC. “With her ideas and my art skills, we have managed to spread the word and light throughout WNC so far and hopefully encourage more growth,” Cash says of the collaboration. They combined their visions and their talent to create a painting called The Legacy, representing Henderson County, African American dreams and freedom, and cultural pride. Together, they held Hendersonville’s 1st Black Art and Craft Exhibition in 2019 which has now become an annual event. The exhibition includes a variety of artistic works honoring African American culture and heritage.
In the future, Cash hopes to take her art beyond the borders of Henderson County and branch out in Western North Carolina, to be able to travel to new locations and partner with more artists to create even more meaningful work. Cash says she also sees the project with Cauley continuing to grow to include larger paintings, bigger art shows, and more local African American artists. She also hopes to grow more as an artist herself and become more recognized.
“I hope to grow more and to create a more stable name for myself so that people can recognize who I am and what I do,” she says.
You can sign up for one of Cash’s classes on her website, www.artworkbydiamondcash.com, where she also has party kits for those who want to enjoy the art at home.
Written by Mary Holbrook
