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IAM celebrates unveiling of ‘Unity in Bloom’ mural

Ben Weiner, Rosalia Torres-Weiner and Brandon Torres-Weiner pose in front of ‘Unity in Bloom,’ the new mural at Interfaith Assistance Ministry. An unveiling and ribbon cutting to celebrate the artwork is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at IAM headquarters, 310 Freeman St.

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 5, 2024

Through a creative collaboration of two Hendersonville nonprofits, an uplifting and welcoming new mural will be unveiled Thursday afternoon at Interfaith Assistance Ministry.

The public, including families with children, is invited to attend a ribbon cutting to celebrate the unveiling, made possible by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. The event starts at 3 p.m. in IAM’s parking lot, 310 Freeman St. Complimentary refreshments and a free children’s art project, led by the artist, Rosalia Torres-Weiner, a renowned mural painter based in Charlotte.

Designed to welcome people of all ethnic backgrounds to IAM’s crisis services facility, the mural was made possible through STEAP Inc., which has a mission of creating programs that widen social awareness and cultural appreciation among diverse communities.

“STEAP.NET is delighted to collaborate with IAM to bring to life a mural that celebrates the value, richness and wisdom our Latinx Community brings to our community,” said Karen-Eve Bayne, STEAP’s executive director. “We thank the Arts Council of Henderson County and the Community Foundation of Henderson County for supporting us in bringing Rosalia Torres-Weiner here to create such a fine mural.”

The mural’s title is Unity in Bloom, said Torres-Weiner. She hopes her vibrant mural design will celebrate the spirit of unity, resilience and compassionate service she found during the week she spent painting the mural at IAM.

“Embracing diversity and community care, my design features a radiant woman, her face surrounded by a bounty of apples, strawberries, blueberries and flowers, symbolizing guidance and resilience,” Torres-Weiner said.

Guiding the woman’s journey is the graceful Colibri hummingbird, which symbolizes guidance and resilience in the Mexican culture, Torres-Weiner said. Rainbows, signifying inclusivity and warmth, weave through the mural.

Torres-Weiner and her husband, Ben Weiner, spent the last week in May painting the mural on a gray stucco wall outside of IAM’s Food Pantry. IAM team members Anthony Oviedo Acosta and Shadai Acosta Pace assisted the artist.

“This mural is a dream and a vision come true for IAM,” said Elizabeth Willson Moss, IAM’s executive eirector. “Rosalia’s art adds the colorful welcome that has been missing from the outside of our modern facility, built through the generosity of our community seven years ago.“

Interfaith Assistance Ministry is a crisis assistance nonprofit that provides area residents with basic needs such as a week’s worth of nutritious food, clothing, rent assistance to prevent new homelessness, utility bill assistance, bus tickets, prescription assistance, personal hygiene items, baby diapers, pet food and more. For more information or to make a donation or volunteer, please visit www.iam-hc.org or call 697-7029. IAM’s mailing address is: IAM, PO Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC 28793. The physical address is 310 Freeman St., Hendersonville.