The Power of Being Niche

A native of Asheville, NC, DeWayne Barton grew up in Washington, D.C. and is a Gulf War Veteran. He majored in social work at Norfolk State University. He is the author of two books of poetry and has been involved in community improvement and youth development for over 20 years.

Barton is involved in justice issues — both through his visual and performing art and his community involvement. His mixed-media, found-art installations have been featured at Duke University, Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of African American History and Culture, Upstairs Gallery, and August Wilson Museum as part of Affrilachian Artist Project.

Barton is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader. He was the recipient of a 2016-2017 NC Arts Council Mary B. Regan Artist Residency grant. Barton is co-founder of the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens and serves on the African American Heritage Commission. He is the co-founder of Green Opportunities, a job training program designed to prepare Asheville area youth and adults for “green-collar” careers, and founder/CEO of Hood Huggers International.

Molly Kummerle has always been passionate about marketing, whether it be through her own music projects, creating radio partnerships for festivals like Bonnaroo, Forecastle and Hangout, or connecting with a community of synthesizer and music enthusiasts at the Bob Moog Foundation.

Grace Casey-Gouin is the Creative Director at Echoview Fiber Mill. She has been working in the field of sustainable textiles for the past 11 years with a focus on branding, product design, and supply chain management.