For Immediate Release
July 24, 2015
Contacts:
Michael Verville
Program Coordinator
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
michael@historichillsborough.org
919-732-7741
Karen Mack
Mike’s Art Truck
mikesarttruck@centurylink.net
678-357-2778
New Folk Art Show at Hillsborough Visitors Center
“Just For Fun: More Folk Art by Sam Ezell”
July 24, 2015 through September 18, 2015
Hillsborough, N.C. – The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Mike’s Art Truck are presenting a new exhibit of work by local self-taught artist, Sam Ezell. The show “Just For Fun: More Folk Art By Sam Ezell” will be on display at the Hillsborough Visitors Center through September 18, 2015. This will be the center’s second show of Ezell’s art, following the popular exhibit “Picture Hillsborough” which will be moving to the Orange County Historical Museum.
The artist Sam Ezell is a resident of Hillsborough where he works full-time handling maintenance at a local shopping center. Visitors can easily spot his studio/shop in Daniel Boone Village by looking for the fantastic birdhouses out in front. Also hard to miss is his panel truck covered with bright folk art paintings and Ezell’s phone number.
When Sam Ezell first began to paint he didn’t believe he could do it. But he gave it a try, to honor a promise to an old friend, and he was surprised how much he enjoyed it. Since then, he has been spending most of his spare time painting. He says he enjoys it more than fishing. He does it just for fun.
These days, when folk art fans and collectors around the country think of Hillsborough, NC, they most likely think of Sam Ezell. His paintings regularly sell out at the annual FolkFest show in Atlanta. Sam is also a featured and popular artist at the prestigious Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport, AL, held every October.
The paintings in “Just For Fun” are typical of Ezell’s artwork. He uses simple shapes and bright colors to make cheerful paintings of happy times from his own imagination. People are dressed up and having fun. Skies are blue, the sun is shining, birds have houses, and chickens come in lots of colors. Mayonnaise and pickles have their own sense of pride. Someone named Hebo runs a night club and a church. Ezell’s only goal is to make you smile.
The Visitors Center also continues to display two of Sam Ezell’s multi-chambered birdhouses built to resemble houses and churches, like the ones outside his Daniel Boone shop. The houses are very popular with feathered friends, but these two just happened to be unoccupied.
Paintings and birdhouses are available for purchase directly from Mike’s Art Truck. Purchased artwork can be picked up at the conclusion of the show. Contact Mike’s Art Truck for sales information by email at mikesarttruck@centurylink.net or by phone at 678-345-2778. Visit their website at www.mikesarttruck.com .
The Hillsborough Visitors Center is located in the Alexander Dickson House at 150 E. King St. Call (919) 732-7741 for more information or visit their website at www.visithillsboroughnc.com.
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