Artists capture essence of Tarboro

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From left, Clara Daughtridge and Susan Webb, “lifelong learning” students at Barton College, visit with their professor, J. Chris Wilson, during the artists reception Thursday night for the Painting the Town exhibit in the Hobson Pittman Gallery at the Blount-Bridgers House. W. Terry Smith

August 20, 2010

W. TERRY SMITH Editor The Daily Southerner Fri Aug 20, 2010, 10:48 AM EDT

TARBORO — The Tarboro 250th Celebration Committee wanted to "ramp it up some," Ed Roberson explained, and the Painting the Town exhibit does just that.

Roberson's remarks came during a well-attended reception for the artists Thursday night in the Hobson Pittman gallery of the Blount-Bridgers House where 10 different Edgecombe County artists have their works hanging.

Each piece depicts the essence of the community, a snapshot of the town that was chartered in 1760.

"We have the river, the Common, storefronts, Calvary (Episcopal Church) – everything thing we think of when we think of Tarboro," Roberson said. "The things that help make Tarboro the unique place that it is."

The committee funded the catered reception and an anonymous committee selected one of the paintings for a commemorative poster.

J. Chris Wilson's painting of the Town Common was the choice and posters were available for purchase for $50 each. Proceeds go to the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council.

Patrons bought 25 posters Thursday night.

Roberson thanked the artists for their participation and said, "I hope we can do this each year during History Days."

Wilson said it took him about a month to produce the painting, a glorious piece with lush greens and dappled light on a 4-foot by 6-foot canvas.

"Having been so often on it and seen it made it easier to express some of the feeling," he said.

"I am more interested it what it feels like than I am how it looks," he said. "I am an optimist and in my best paintings, my feeling comes through."

Wilson, 61, who was accompanied by his wife Kathleen. They live at Old Town Plantation outside of Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County in Jacob Battle's old house that was built in 1785. Wilson has been on the faculty of Barton College in Wilson since 1974.

"He is very good," said Clara Daughtridge of Stantonsburg who was there with four other women who are “lifelong learners” at Barton and Wilson's students.

"He has us set specific goals and is very honest with us," Daughtridge said. "He encourages us to do a series of paintings. He doesn't try to influence our style."

The exhibit continues until Sept. 25. The gallery in the Blount-Bridgers House is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Artists whose work is featured in the exhibit include Wilson, Motsie Brooks, Susan Fecho, Buddy Hooks, Teresa Muse, Maureen O'Neill, Ken Thompson, Russell Yerkes, Millicent Holloman and potter Brown Holloman.

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