Hillsborough, N.C. – The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Mike’s Art Truck are happy to present an exhibit of Southern folk art at the Alexander Dickson House in Hillsborough, NC. “Jake and Charlie” features work by two legendary self-taught artists, Jake McCord and Charlie Lucas. The show is on display from November 23, 2016 through January 26, 2017, in the historic building which houses the Hillsborough Visitors Center.
Jake McCord, who passed away in 2009, was a quiet, hard-working man. For many years he lived in a wooden house beside the railroad tracks in Thomson, GA, where he spent his spare time doing his two favorite things, painting pictures and watching TV. He liked to display his large happy paintings on the big front porch, often nailed to the outside wall. Most of his subjects came from his own imagination, people and animals that he provided with names and stories. Although he always lived alone, Jake said his paintings kept him company.
Charlie Lucas spends some of his happiest hours driving around in his truck collecting other people’s cast-offs. In his studio just steps away from the iconic Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, AL, he brings the so-called trash back to life in sculptures, assemblages, and paintings. His creations are abstract views of people and animals involved in life’s struggles and joys. Throughout his work Charlie pays homage to his ancestors, but he encourages viewers to look for themselves and find their own stories.
Longtime collectors of “outsider art” & friends of many artists, Greg and Karen Mack founded Mike’s Art Truck to promote and sell the work of self-taught living artists. Sadly, many artist friends, like McCord, have since passed away. Mike’s Art Truck has no physical gallery location. Instead, artwork is shown through cooperation with other businesses and public spaces, and is displayed and sold online. The “truck” is only an imaginary one – driven by their cat Mike. Since moving to Hillsborough in 2012, the Macks have curated folk art shows for the Orange County Public Library, the Chapel Hill Public Library, the Hillsborough Visitors Center, the Whitted Building, and the Orange County Historical Museum.
Exhibition artwork is available for purchase directly through Mike’s Art Truck and can be picked up after the conclusion of the show. Contact Mike’s Art Truck for information by email at mikesarttruck@centurylink.net, or visit their website at www.mikesarttruck.com.
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 https://www.visithillsboroughnc.com.
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