The University Libraries, donors, and friends visited the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) to experience the Beulah Campbell Collection exhibition on Thursday, May 29. The event boasted the attendance of over 50 University Libraries faculty, staff, council members and donors.
The exhibition celebrated the artists behind beloved children’s books of the mid-20th century. The collection of over 30 original illustrations, collages, and preparatory artworks was built by Beulah Campbell, a teacher at Appalachian State Teachers College, to aid in teaching and preserve the artistic merit of children’s books. Her collection began during a time when children’s literature was starting to reflect greater diversity and social transformation.
The exhibit ran from December 20 to June 8 in the Raskin East and West Galleries at BRAHM.
As part of the exhibition series, the third event was a presentation titled “Beulah Campbell’s Legacy: Celebrating Children’s Literature and Art,” led by University Libraries faculty members Margaret Gregor and Jackie Eagleson. The event took place on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
The participants also received a sneak peak at two exhibits at BRAHM, the Daingerfield & The Tonalist Instinct exhibits, which explores the development of Tonalism, a distinctly American artistic movement responding to early modernist impulses in painting. Central to the exhibition is Elliott Daingerfield (1859–1932), one of North Carolina’s most celebrated artists. Daingerfield’s connection to Tonalism is reflected in his expressive interpretations of the Southern landscape, particularly around Blowing Rock, where he summered for over four decades. Keeping with the Tonalist theme, guests enjoyed refreshments all in shades of the color purple.
During his remarks, Executive Director, Stephan Dragisic spoke about the success of the exhibit and the many treasures housed in the archives in the University Libraries. “Museums and Libraries are like family, cousins so to speak”, said Dragisic. “We hope this event proves to be just one of many collaborations between BRAHM and the University Libraries.”
by Andie Combs
Mark Coltrain, Angela Howell, Emily Kader - SCRC
SCRC Staff