Afterglow: Art by Jon Whiddon

The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Mike’s Art Truck present “Afterglow: Art by Jon Whiddon” featuring art from the artist’s estate. This will mark the center’s first folk art exhibit from Mike’s Art Truck since Covid restrictions began in 2020. Spanning Jon Whiddon’s brief but intense artistic journey from 1999 to 2008, the exhibition is composed of the unsold work and personal collection that were left to Whiddon’s estate when he passed away in 2008. The art is on display from May 20 through September 8, 2022, at the Alexander Dickson House, the historic building which houses the Hillsborough Visitors Center.

At the age of 39, Jon Whiddon began teaching himself to paint. At first he used leftover tractor paint and scrap wood, recreating the Georgia farmland with vibrant lines and intense light. He approached painting with enthusiasm and resourcefulness, and his work quickly developed into an energetic, impressionistic style. Relocating to the Blue Ridge Mountains brought a fresh perspective to his paintings as he eagerly adapted to his new environment. Hungry for exploration, Whiddon set out on a personal quest to see the world and to bring it to life in his paintings. He envisioned extended trips to be followed with intense periods of creativity on his return, all with the support of his growing cadre of friends and fans. A hugely successful trip to Italy was followed by another to Bali. In August 2007, shortly after his return from Bali, Jon was diagnosed with cancer. He continued painting and planning until his death on February 20, 2008. On the night of a lunar eclipse, the life of this promising self-taught artist came to a tragic end.

Exhibition artwork is available for purchase directly through Mike’s Art Truck. For information email mikesarttruck@centurylink.net, or visit their website at www.mikesarttruck.com. All of the exhibition artwork can be viewed on the same website.

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 www.visithillsboroughnc.com.