News

Young artists' work will adorn bridges on widened Interstate 26

Shown with NCDOT District Engineer Wanda Austin are Alexis Donald, Ashlyn Webb, Sofia Fernandez Rojas, Ryan Bartlett and Sophie Thomas. [PHOTO BY KIMBRELL ARROWOOD/Henderson County Public School System]

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 15, 2022

Eight Henderson County students will see their artwork when they pass under bridges that cross Interstate 26 in Henderson County. Millions more people will see that same artwork for decades to come.

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials awarded plaques on Monday afternoon to eight Henderson County School District students who had their artwork chosen by a panel of judges to adorn piers of eight bridges that cross I-26 in Henderson County.
The selected images will be prominently placed on bridge piers in a medium that allows the art to compliment other features of the bridges upon completion of the interstate widening project. Images will be 3-foot by 3-foot emblems on each of the recently built bridges, which carry an average of more than 60,000 vehicles per day.
“Interstate 26 is a vital part of Henderson County and NCDOT has worked to maintain natural beauty of western North Carolina in the design,” Division 14 Engineer Wanda Austin said. “The art contest felt like a natural fit in expression. NCDOT is proud to showcase local talent with this important transportation linkage.”
Here are the winners, their art and the future location of their artwork:

• Sofia Fernandez Rojas: Bear Cub Eating Apple — Butler Bridge Road Bridge
• Berit Raines: White Squirrel — U.S. 25 Business Bridge
• Sophie Thomas: Blue Mountains — Airport Road Bridge
• Alexis Donald: Bear in Apple Woods — Four Seasons Boulevard Bridge
• Ryan Bartlett: Cardinal on Color — Naples Road Bridge
• Viesna Mao: Farmer — Clear Creek Road Bridge
• Sophia Beck: Goat — Brookside Camp Road Bridge
• Ashlyn Webb: WNC Dogwoods — Fanning Bridge Road Bridge