Our Story

We are turning an environmental liability into an economic and community asset.

The Green Energy Park was created in 2006 by Jackson County, North Carolina in an effort to simultaneously combat the release of contaminants from the landfill while using the energy to fuel a ground-breaking community art center.

Now, over 15 years later, we are continuing our work - we have a thriving metal, glass and ceramics studio that is home to several full-time artists, students and visitors who want to see our artistic and environmental endeavors.

Our Team

Timm Muth, Project Director

With over 30 years experience in the energy industry, Timm has helped design and manage nuclear facilities, fossil fuel stations, hydropower, solar and wind power installations, and biomass resources such as landfill gas. Timm has led the effort at the Green Energy Park since its inception in 2005. He brings to the project an enthusiasm for renewable energy, belief in the power of community, and the ability to turn what could be into what is.

Kevin McNiff, Studio Technician

I am a studio technician at the Jackson County Green Energy Park where I maintain the equipment for the glass blowing studio and mobile glassblowing rig, the blacksmithing studios, our wood fire kilns and our gas extractions system that we use to pull methane off of the old landfill to fire our equipment. I have a love of the technical aspects of our different equipment and knowing how things work as well as traditional modes of making.

My first venture into ceramics was in the 6th grade and it has stuck with me since then. I continued my exploration into ceramics throughout my high school years into my Undergraduate studies at Ferrum college and my graduate school studies at Western Carolina University where I completed my Master of Fine Arts with a focus in ceramics. I have had a continued interest throughout my studies in different firing techniques focusing on surface and atmospheric effects available through different firing methods.

Chelsea Miller, Program Assistant

Born and raised in Homestead (FL) Chelsea graduated from Western Carolina University in December of 2014 with degrees in fine arts and education. She is highly knowledgeable in the areas of glass blowing and blacksmithing having taken classes from master teachers. She is devoted to community and enjoys giving back - she started working with the GEP as a volunteer in 2010.