Taylor Pate

Taylor Pate, a native of Appalachia, draws inspiration from the ancient, mystical essence of the forest that has shaped her heritage. The work is immersed in the mysterious and isolated mountainscapes of West Virginia, where the scent of firewood,...

Taylor Pate, a native of Appalachia, draws inspiration from the ancient, mystical essence of the forest that has shaped her heritage. The work is immersed in the mysterious and isolated mountainscapes of West Virginia, where the scent of firewood, the soft hoot of barn owls at dawn, and the vibrant fields of wildflowers serve as wellsprings for creative magic. Through the lens of regional folklore and fairytales Pate untangles the complicated experience of girlhood growing pains in rural America. In 2020, she graduated with a dual focus on painting and history from West Virginia University. Subsequently, Pate earned her Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2023. That same year, she received the esteemed Murray Dessner Travel Grant, in recognition of her dedication to her craft. This grant opened the doors to a transformative journey across Ireland, where she conducted research exploring the connections between ancient Celtic art and the cultural heritage of Appalachia.