⛰️🎨 Coming Home to Paint a New Picture at North Buncombe Middle
When students at North Buncombe Middle School walk through the student services hallway this fall, they’ll be greeted by something new but deeply familiar.
A mural of sun-washed mountains, rivers, and longleaf pines now fills the once-blank wall near the school’s Reset Room, where students can take a break when life feels overwhelming. But what makes this artwork truly special isn’t just the calming scenery, it’s the artist.
Meet Robby Edsell: EC teacher assistant, local artist, and proud NBMS alum.
Edsell walked these same halls as a student, and now he’s back, brush in hand, using his creative talents to give students a space that feels peaceful, grounded, and uniquely connected to home.
“This was my middle school,” Edsell said. “To be able to create something calming for students who are struggling or anxious, something that can lift their spirits, that’s powerful.”
The project was funded through special United Way Community School support following Hurricane Helene, and staff immediately gravitated toward a mountain scene: a symbol of resilience, healing, and the place they all call home.
“We’re excited that a former NBMS Black Hawk is doing this mural,” said Principal Nicholas Honeycutt. “This is a school where students feel valued, remembered, and part of something bigger. The act of a former student creating art for their school symbolizes growth, maturity, and a journey coming full circle. It communicates that the school not only shapes students’ futures but remains part of their story even after they've moved on.”
The mural features iconic Western North Carolina peaks, longleaf pines, and a rising sun- quiet elements that speak to strength, growth, and the natural beauty of our region. It’s a reflection of a place and a community that lifts each other up.
“If this painting brings a little positivity to someone’s day, then my goal is accomplished,” Edsell said.