Parks Pegram Duffey III Paints Richard Bland College

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Parks Pegram Duffey III Paints Richard Bland College

Introduction

In February of 2001 The Friends of the Richard Bland College Library commissioned Parks Pegram Duffey III to paint the Richard Bland College campus. For eight months Mr. Duffey visited the campus, solicited input from faculty and staff, and worked on a canvas that evolved into a painting that includes architectural renderings of buildings, whimsical remembrances of people and events, and an overall lovely depiction of the campus. On October 24, 2001, the unveiling of the finished product took place in the Richard Bland College Library.

About the Artist

Parks Pegram Duffey III, a native of Richmond, Virginia, has traveled extensively and has lived in Washington, D.C.; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Caribbean Islands. Mr. Duffey currently lives in Petersburg, Virginia. He is a self-taught artist. His works have a primitive yet very realistic style. Mr. Duffey's work is displayed in numerous private and corporate collections around the world. He has been commissioned to paint many of the colleges and universities in Virginia.

Sketch to Finished Product


Sketch from February 2001	Close-up of barn

Close-up of humanities and gazebo	Painting from June, 2001

Painting from July 5, 2001	Painting from July 27, 2001

Close-up of library	Close-up of water garden

Close-up of humanities building	Painting in August, 2001

Unveiling, October 24, 2001

On October 24, 2001, the Friends of the Richard Bland College Library hosted a reception and celebration in honor of the artist and to present the finished painting to college faculty, administration, staff, students and community guests. This reception took place in the Richard Bland College Library, where the completed painting now hangs. Prints of the painting are available. The first 200 are signed and numbered.

The unveiling and reception took place in the library. Mrs. Galloni, Information Technologist, welcomed everyone and introduced Dr. Tim Evans, President of the Friends of the Richard Bland College Library. Dr. Evans welcomed guests and spoke about the value of a Friend's group. Mrs. Galloni then introduced Dr. McNeer, President of Richard Bland College, who also spoke words of welcome. Dr. LeAnn Binger, Co-chairman of Ways and Means for the Friends, introduced the artist, Parks Pegram Duffey III, and talked about the process from first meeting Mr. Duffey up to receiving the finished product. Mr. Duffey and Dr. McNeer then unveiled the finished painting.

Presentations of prints were made to Mrs. Marlene Maze, former first lady of Richard Bland College, and to Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, Associate Librarian from 1961-1984.