'CURIOSITY, TRUTH AND JOY'
NANU Gallery in Old Fort champions artistic creations
NANU Gallery owner Katie McWeeney stands in front of an old dye recipe cabinet used at Parker Hosiery, which she now uses to display pottery.
Katie McWeeney, owner of NANU Gallery, stands with the work of Betty Ballew of Nebo, who creates large-scale metal sculptures.
One of Katie McWeeney's recent works is titled "Flood Mud Contemplations," which was made of minerals and mud left behind on the gallery's floor by hurricane Helene.
NANU Gallery in Old Fort currently represents six local artists working in painting, photography, ceramics and metal.
Katie McWeeney, owner of NANU Gallery, looks at other metal sculptures on display.
Katie McWeeney, owner of NANU Gallery and KMCW studio, stands with an unfinished portrait of dolly Parton.
Across the street from B Side Bakery & Books in Old Fort is a small contemporary gallery dedicated to championing the work of local artists.
NANU Gallery is located at 78E Catawba Ave., right beside Hillman Beer. It is yet another addition to Old Fort's growing arts and cultural scene, and like others, it is located within the former Parker Hosiery building.
The gallery is owned and operated by artist Katie McWeeney. Together, she and P.J. Miller, who owns B Side Bakery & Books, are partners in life and business. Their two operations could be considered "his and her" endeavors.
"We both support each other with each business," said McWeeney.
McWeeney is an artist, curator and gardener. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and Magnolia, Arkansas, she earned her degrees from Louisiana Tech University and Memphis College of Art, specializing in architecture, cultural studies and mixed-media art practices, she said. Before founding NANU Gallery, McWeeney spent 20 years in nonprofit, hospitality, community development, technology and small business sectors, she said.
In her artwork, McWeeney uses clay, paint, charcoal and installation techniques "to express her contemplations and reflections as a woman, naturalist, adoptee and citizen."
"When she's not creating art or nurturing community, you can find her tending to a perennial garden and small flower farm, spending time with her partner and dog, or exploring the mountains," reads an online description of her work and her gallery.
McWeeney's work is included in private collections across the United States, she said. She volunteers at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts community pottery studio and serves on the committees for the Old Fort Trails & Trains Festival and Camp Grier's Old Fort Strong Fund.
When she attended graduate school in Memphis, McWeeney worked for a nonprofit arts council running a gallery and managing artistic events.
"That was one of the favorite jobs I had in my career," she said. "I wanted to combine that on a small scale that could benefit local western North Carolina artists."
McWeeney opened NANU Gallery in August 2024. It is also the home of her studio called KMcW Studio. There, she creates pottery, paintings and plant installations.
The gallery's name pays tribute to the late actor Robin Williams, who was known for saying "Nanu! Nanu!" on the "Mork & Mindy" show.
"Born from a threefold vision, NANU is a space that combines nature and nurture through art-making, honors our ancestors (inspired by Katie's Nana) through fostering community connections and celebrates the spirit of Robin Williams by encouraging curiosity, truth and joy in everyday life. NANU, NANU!" the website for the gallery said.
More than a month after it opened, NANU Gallery, along with the nearby Arrowhead Gallery, found themselves underwater and coated in mud when the remnants of Hurricane Helene devastated Old Fort. Despite that severe setback, both galleries survived Helene and are now busier than ever.
One of McWeeney's recent works is titled "Flood Mud Contemplations," which was made of minerals and mud left behind on the gallery's floor by Hurricane Helene.
NANU Gallery shares a hallway with Hillman Beer. In that hallway, McWeeney has taken the dye recipe cabinet used at Parker Hosiery and made it into a display for pottery. It is what she calls "pay what you can pottery," so customers can pick out pieces of pottery and pay as they are able.
"A gallery can be intimidating," McWeeney said. "The 'pay what you can' display means you don't have to give any money or you can give as much money as you want."
NANU Gallery hosts quarterly curated exhibitions featuring artists from western North Carolina, along with community events and workshops. The gallery currently represents six local artists working in painting, photography, ceramics and metal.
In addition to McWeeney, those artists are:
■„ Betty Ballew of Nebo, who creates large metal sculptures.
■„ Darcy Ward of Old Fort, who creates metalwork art pieces.
„■Charles Freeland of Swannanoa, who creates pottery.
â– Beth Garrison of Black Mountain, who creates pottery.
„■Haley Cloud of Asheville, who creates pottery.
■„ Tonya Engelbrecht of Black Mountains, who is a photographer.
■„ Tikanne Herrera of Asheville, who creates stained glass works.
NANU Gallery hosts quarterly exhibitions featuring the works of individual artists. Ballew had a show in June and July of last year featuring her metal sculptures and McWeeney had a show in September 2025 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene featuring work that survived the flood.
NANU Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. or by appointment. On Thursdays, the gallery also offers classes in creating ceramics and other artworks. There are also weekend workshops with guest instructors.
"We are going to partner with Arrowhead Gallery and feature the work of Maggie Jones with Turtle Island Pottery in May," said McWeeney. "It will be open for the Trails and Trains Festival."
McWeeney said she is on the committee for that upcoming festival.
"Our passion lies in showcasing the extraordinary diversity of artists from western North Carolina and the wider U.S. Southeastern region," reads a description of NANU Gallery. "We believe in illuminating the profound richness of their work, striving always to make the experience of sharing and creating art accessible for everyone."
For more information, visit www.nanugallery.com.
