Southern Comforts is located in a bucolic setting with cows grazing across the road and tractors working in the near distance, an area known as Happy Valley. We felt a sharp contrast with the more urban sites of other works. Given this rural site, we tried to place the sculpture to attract the attention of people passing by on the winding country road. The five elements sit in a grove of very large pine trees, leaning into them and implying interaction between the sculpture and the pines. In order to enhance the look from the road, we perched a globe atop each element.

The overall impetus for the project was an effort to join in the re-invigoration of the old Patterson School. That effort has created a new art presence in the valley, which includes the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center.