ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — One of Asheville’s brightest luminaries has been memorialized in mural form at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
Thomas Wolfe, the famous Asheville author of “Look Homeward, Angel” and “You Can’t Go Home Again,” died in 1938. However, his legacy has lived on at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, a state historic site responsible for the upkeep of the Old Kentucky Home, the Wolfe family residence still standing in downtown Asheville.
At 2 p.m. today, Saturday, April 26, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial visitor center unveiled their brand new mural of the late writer, visible on the side of the building at 52 N. Market St.
“It was an attempt to bring color to the exterior of our visitor center building and be very eye-catching,” explained site manager Kayla Seay. “The mural is going to have components of classic imagery from some of Wolfe’s novels and from his book covers, and then a very classic photo of him from 1936 when he was getting onto a streetcar in Berlin.”
The painting is by local artist Katie Kasben, who was selected by the Thomas Wolfe Memorial board from a pool of local painters.
The board began discussions of a mural three years prior. The piece was previously set to be unveiled on Oct. 5, 2024, but Hurricane Helene put those plans on hold. For the Thomas Wolfe Memorial team, they expect the mural to add a new element of intrigue to their visitor center.
“We’re on Market Street, which is not necessarily one of the touristy bits of town,” said site manager Kayla Seay. “We just wanted something that would help catch the eye of folks that are traveling down Market Street or as they’re walking through town.”
For more information about Thomas Wolfe or the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, visit www.wolfememorial.com.