Laura De Rosa She began painting at 43, following a strange revelatory dream. In the meantime, she worked as a caretaker at the "Airlie Gardens" in Wilmington, which dedicated this chapel to her to honor her.
@Wikimedia Commons
Nestled within the beautiful Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina, stands a mysterious structure known as “The Bottle Chapel.” Crafted from thousands of glass bottles, broken plates, and other recycled materials, this chapel dedicated to artist Minnie Evans radiates a captivating brilliance.
A closer look
Visitors are mesmerized by the intricate details embedded in its walls. Whiskey bottles, Coca-Cola bottles, blue wine bottles, expensive vodka bottles, and even green champagne bottles all find their place in this creation. It is the handiwork of Virginia Wright-Frierson, who constructed it to honor the visionary Wilmington artist, Minnie Evans.
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The life of Minnie Evans
Minnie Evans, a descendant of slaves brought to America from Trinidad, was born in 1892. She spent almost her entire life in Wilmington, leaving school after the fifth grade to help support her family.
Evans was not like other children. She experienced vivid dreams and visions that others could not see. At 43, she had a life-changing dream where a voice commanded her, “You have to draw or die.” Following this vision in 1935, she embraced her calling as an artist.
Evans’s work is filled with mystical figures influenced by African and Caribbean art, as well as the plants and flowers she tended to during her long tenure as a caretaker at Airlie Gardens.
Evans often gifted her paintings to garden visitors. In the 1960s, her art caught the attention of Nina Howell Starr, which led to her exhibiting in many New York galleries.
After Evans passed away in 1987, Airlie Gardens sought to honor her legacy. Virginia Wright-Frierson conceived the idea of the stunning Bottle Chapel, around which other marvels have been installed, including sculptures by Dumay Gorham, clay sculptures by Hiroshi Sueyoshi, and ceramic sculptures by Tejuola Turner.
Today, many people visit the gardens specifically to see the chapel dedicated to her. Evans’s story teaches us that it is never too late to follow one’s true calling, and she would undoubtedly be proud of this tribute.
