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Shipyard Earthworks Spruces Up Downtown Boone with Custom AppalCART Markers on King, College Streets

By Paul T. Choate 

Willie Baucom and Keith Lambert installing a custom AppalCART bus stop marker on West King Street on Thursday, Aug. 2. Photo by Ken Ketchie

Aug. 3, 2012. Prominent husband and wife team Keith Lambert and Willie Baucom has been creating masterpiece paintings, pottery, sculptures and other architectural elements for over 30 years under the name “Shipyard Earthworks.” Recently, they were contacted by AppalCART to create some unique artwork at their new facility as well as around town.

“AppalCART asked us to do a project — we did a huge wall for their new building — but we also added our little calling card which is a couple of markers,” said Baucom. “They are kind of unique. The way we came about them was cross-markers in a little village where we used to teach in Italy.”

On Thursday, Aug. 2, the newest custom bus stop marker was installed on West King Street near the Town Hall offices. It is currently under wraps and is expected to be unveiled this evening during the First Friday Art Crawl.

Other markers by Shipyard Earthworks are located at the circle on College Street near the Appalachian State library and inside the new AppalCART facility on N.C. 105 Bypass as a decorative piece.

As for the “huge” wall inside the new AppalCART facility, Baucom described it as “a memo of several pages with hundreds of things they wanted on the wall, literally. It covers some of the history of transportation and the history of Watauga County … but we did it. We were creative enough to come up with it.”

With such intrigue in fine arts around the High County, people are sure to enjoy the custom bus stop markers. Baucom said she and her husband hope AppalCART asks them to do more of the markers in the future.

“It’s one of those things that is kind of light-hearted. A marker needs to be just that. It doesn’t need to be something you’re going to sit down and contemplate forever. But the light is going to change on them; things are going to fade in on them. When the snow is up against them – and in different seasons different colors are going to come out. Different times of the day even it’s going to be different. I love doing color outside.”

About Lambert and Baucom

Recognized internationally for his work in marble, paint and clay, Keith Lambert has received numerous awards for his work. He is the only American ever to have won the International Painting Competition in Beaufort-en-Valle, France and has taught in both the U.S. and Europe. Keith also produces pottery in a large range of styles and sizes available at shows and directly through the studio.

Willie Baucom’s lifelong passion for art has led to recognition as both an artist and teacher in the field. She is best known for her large clay figures and relief sculptures. Willie’s works are featured in collections in France, Italy and the United States, including works in the permanent collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art. She has also completed numerous public and private commissions for works around the country.

About Shipyard Earthworks

Shipyard Earthworks is based in coastal North Carolina in the town of Beaufort, near Morehead City. In Morehead City, Shipyard Earthworks are very well known for their artwork promoting the local fishing industry. Shipyard Earthworks also has a satellite studio located at 3609 Meat Camp Road in Boone.

For more information, visit shipyardearthworks.com.