Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina
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A Sharecropper’s Daughter: Folk Art by Jessie Lavon
September 15, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
An event every day that begins at 10:00 am, repeating until October 2, 2023
The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Mike’s Art Truck are pleased to present a collection of paintings by self-taught folk artist Jessie Lavon. The exhibit, “A Sharecropper’s Daughter: Folk Art by Jessie Lavon,” is on display from August 25, 2023 through October 2, 2023 at the Alexander Dickson House, the historic building which houses the Hillsborough Visitors Center.
Artist Jessie Lavon speaks of herself as a sharecropper’s daughter. She remembers that sharecropper, her mother, as the best friend she ever had. She remembers a lot about the old days when she was a child on the farm in southern Alabama. She remembers details about the old ways of getting things done back then, and she remembers the simple pleasures that brought joy to her as a child. These are the memories that she shares with us in her paintings and her stories.
Lavon hasn’t always remembered. Years ago a cerebral hemorrhage wiped out a large portion of her memory. At first she only recognized her mother. When she started to recall her childhood, she began to paint what she remembered. As she painted, she remembered more and more details of her early life.
Today Lavon has no shortage of stories and she continues to paint every day. She has relearned many basic skills, though not at her prior levels. A cheerful grandmother of many, she spends her time gardening, canning, painting, and enjoying life.
Exhibition artwork is available for purchase directly through Mike’s Art Truck. Contact Mike’s Art Truck for information by email at mikesarttruck@centurylink.net, or visit their website at www.mikesarttruck.com.
Heldover from June 2023, this exhibit runs concurrently with “Low Country Memories: Paintings by Irene Tison.”
The Alexander Dickson House and Hillsborough Visitors Center is located at 150 E. King St., in downtown Hillsborough. Admission to the exhibit is free and open to the public during regular visitor hours. Free parking is available. For more information about Historic Hillsborough, including the Visitors Center, please visit http://www.visithillsboroughnc.com.
