The Mountaineer

March 5, 2025

The Haywood County Arts Council will host an opening reception for a specially curated exhibit featuring the works of celebrated artist and author Ann Miller Woodford from 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Haywood Handmade Gallery in downtown Waynesville.

The exhibit opening will be a celebration of artistry, history and storytelling, offering visitors the chance to engage with Woodford’s compelling visual and narrative works.

Woodford, a North Carolina native, captures the untold life experiences of African Americans and rural people in WNC through her art. She uncovers the hidden stories of some of the descendants of formerly enslaved African Americans as she works to dispel old stereotypes.

Working primarily in oils and skilled in pencil, charcoal, and ink drawing, her subject matter ranges from portraits and landscapes to inspirational and still-life compositions. Her latest portrait series, “Black in Black on Black: Making the Invisible Visible,” explores themes of emergence and empowerment, using the richness of the color black to celebrate identity and visibility.

Woodford’s impressive career began after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University. Following a successful business venture in Columbus, Ohio, and an art career in Los Angeles, she returned to her hometown of Andrews where she continues to create impactful artwork at Ann’s Tree Studio.

She is also the author of “When All God’s Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African American People in Far Western North Carolina,” which celebrates the rich history of African American culture in the region. As a sought-after speaker, she brings history to life through her storytelling, connecting audiences to the legacy of the people and communities that inspire her work.

Woodford credits her family and community for nurturing her artistic spirit throughout her life. “No matter what I am doing, my work is created through the lens of my spirit as an artist,” said Woodford. “My parents and many who have stood by me as an artist include my precious little sister Nina Miller Moses, my elementary school teacher Ida Mae Logan, and my grandfather William Cleve Miller who said, ‘Ann can do anything.’”