Artist talk with Connie Bostic during her career survey exhibition at Upstairs Artspace, Tryon, NC.
Conelia Harrill Bostic (Connie) was born June 8, 1936 in Spindale, N.C. and died in the early morning hours of January 14, 2024 in her beloved home in Fairview, N.C.
Connie grew up in Spindale where she was raised by her maternal grandparents. Her life there was limited by the confines of a typical small southern town, however, she found an interest in the arts through history lessons given by her elementary school art teacher. Later, in her early teens, she became intrigued with the city of Asheville as she happened upon the writings of Thomas Wolfe. These experiences would defiantly lead to her artistic expression as well as her love of the Fairview/Asheville area.
Connie married George Bostic Sr. and in 1970, after relocating to Asheville, she happened upon the S.J. Ashworth House on U.S. 74 in Fairview. She "surprised" George by purchasing the house and fittingly naming it "Mayhem Manor" where they would loosely raise their five children, horses, dogs and a number of their children's friends. What an amazing adventure!
Connie had an incredible life with stories rich in emotion and intrigue as well as shocking, amazing, wonderful, crazy surprises at every turn. She has been described as the "Grandmother of the Asheville art scene" as she brought the first contemporary art gallery to Asheville in 1990 with Zone One Contemporary on Biltmore Ave. She also provided a strong foundation for the creation of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center.
Connie is survived by her children, Michael Bostic of Fairview, Beth Bostic of Fairview, Catherine Bostic Southern (Bill) of Flowery Branch, GA, daughter-in-law, DJ Bostic of Black Mountain, grandchildren, Lindsay West (Matt), Kari Morris (John), Hannah Lyda (Kevin), Rachel Burleson (John) and Will Southern as well as her great-grandchildren, Jett Burleson, Leona Lyda, Victoria Burleson and Fredrick Lyda.
Connie was preceeded in death by her husband, George Michael Bostic Sr., son, John Mark Bostic and daughter Victoria "Ticker" Bostic Landers.