The current Tryon Fine Arts Center exhibit, Hansel Mieth – Through a Brilliant Lens, will be open in Gallery I until Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. This photo is called Granny Pritchard’s granddaughter washes clothes.

These one hundred original photographs by noted LIFE Magazine photographer Hansel Mieth in Tryon, 1939, were created by Mieth herself and were in the collection of noted Tryonite Ralph Erskine. Erskine’s grandson, Chris Bartol, is sponsoring the exhibit and is selling all of the photographs, with half of the proceeds going to TFAC for programming and operating support.

Though over half of the photographs have been sold, some very iconic images are still available. All of the photographs will be on display for the remainder of the exhibit. During the final week of the show, from Jan. 12 until noon on Jan. 16, all who visit the exhibit and fill out a card will be entered into a drawing for one of the photographs. The drawing will be held at noon on Saturday, Jan. 16 just prior to the exhibit’s close.

Mieth recorded all of the events in 1939 surrounding the annual Tryon Riding and Hunt Club’s Horse and Hound Show & BBQ, which was held each year for the entire town, as a thank you for allowing horses, riders and hounds through local pastures and fields. Thus, there are many wonderful photos of farm families, children and the Mountain Band. The exhibit has garnered rave reviews. Please take the time to view this extraordinary piece of Tryon history.

-Submitted by Susan Brady