In Memory Of James Darr
Marshall Alvarado | September 9, 2025
Photo of James Darr
James Darr was a beloved member of the Warren Wilson College (WWC) community, known as a professor, advisor, faculty member and a dear friend. His unfortunate and sudden passing has been felt on campus as students set up a memorial near Holden’s Sculpture Studios to remember and honor his impact on campus. Darr, associate professor of art and chair of the art program, was responsible for numerous classes within the program, including Introduction to Sculpture and 3D Design; however, his impact extended far beyond his classes.
Darr was a well-known presence among students and staff alike. He was recognized mostly for his craftsmanship and talent as a sculptor and was passionate about all of his work, including his teaching. He encouraged his students to create their own art and helped them build confidence through his constructive and fair feedback.
Ava Hamernik, an advisee of Darr and a junior who had taken his Intro to 3D course, recognized this.
“The best thing that James Darr ever did for me was truly giving me confidence by saying, ‘You are good at this. This is what you're meant to be doing. I'm gonna help you do it,” Hamernik said. “He was just great at that, very supportive and encouraging.”
Charlotte Taylor, assistant professor of arts and chair of the art and craft program, recounted how Darr inspired his students and made them reflect on the messages behind their creations.
“He inspired radical joy,” Taylor said. ”He gave space in his classes for students to think not just about how to build something, which was always part of what he was teaching, but also why to build it.”
When asked about the impact Darr had on fellow faculty and the campus, many said he was recognized as a handyman and relied on by many across the community.
Kevin Kehrberg, professor of music and director of The Swannanoa Gathering, expressed just how far Darr’s jack-of-all-trades power went.
“Staff down at facilities knew he was a resource that they could call, which is incredible to me, like, ‘Oh yeah, let's call this art faculty person to help us do this installation, or hang this drywall, or whatever the case may be,’” Kehrberg said.
However, Darr’s talents went further than just assisting with facility matters.
Taylor described the way they found his presence to be a backbone in the art department.
“James [Darr] is a pillar in this program,” Taylor said. “We all relied on James a lot. I find myself thinking a lot of days, ‘I wonder what James would do?’”
Taylor added that Darr’s handyman talents went beyond physical fixes as well.
“He fixed things,” Taylor said. “It's not just the physical things that he fixed. He just had a way of seeing what everybody needed and was able to present the material where everybody could hear it.”
Damián J. Fernández, president of WWC, mentioned how Darr’s love for WWC was reciprocated by the community.
“Professor Darr was an exceptional teacher, artist, and colleague. He loved Warren Wilson, and we loved him back.”
The sudden loss has been felt by the whole community. Hamernik mentioned how she feels the vacancy of his presence.
“He was such a large presence on campus that you feel the loss when you go into the sculpture studio,” Hamernik said. “It's very strange”.
When asked what staff would miss about Darr, Kehrberg mentioned how he would miss the comfort Darr provided naturally.
Jeff Keith, professor of history and the archivist of the college, was unable to pick just one thing he would miss about Darr.
“What would you not miss about someone like that?” Keith said. “I'm going to miss him as a friend and somebody who just always made me feel at ease and had a warm sort of aura about them that made you feel comfortable.”
Keith believes that the memorial set up by students to honor Darr would keep his creative spirit alive.
“I think through improvised memorials and collective efforts of creating…we're doing a service and honoring that creative spirit that made him such a bright light,” Keith said.
Taylor added that they were glad to see the memorial and hoped that it would help the students cope with the loss.
On Saturday, September 13, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., a memorial service will be held in Darr’s honor; all are welcome to join, and food will be provided as we share stories and memories of Darr.