Tucker Cooke Gallery, Room 101 | Late February – March 2026

Introduction

‘Love Never Leaves’ isn’t just another campus exhibition—it’s a community welcome. Rooted in the heart of UNC Asheville, our show is a hometown celebration of strength, imagination, and the healing journey through trauma. The gallery walls will carry the stories and artwork of Kelly Redfern and Nico Adams, two visionaries whose creative spirits have weathered adversity and emerged more vibrant, more human—and forever inspiring. This is a show about resilience, unity, and the kind of love that refuses to fade, even in the hardest seasons.

Collaborators

Moonlight Cheese Alliance (Professor Leslee Johnson, Founder): Our partners in community-building and creative energy. Plus assistant/ interns like Elle and more in her dept.

The Love Project (Joni Lamb): Lifting up narratives of trauma and renewal through art.

Brent: Bridging connections between campus teams and heart-forward creators.

UNC Art Department: Keeping us grounded in the university’s artistic spirit and academic tradition.

Haywood Congregation (with Hank+ Joni): Providing a space that welcomes everyone, especially those who feel different, eccentric, or outside the box.

@12basketscafe and Asheville Poverty Initiative