Sunday Lecture: The Life & Career of Nellie Mae Rowe, Folk Artist

Our Sunday Lecture today was on the life & career of local folk artist, Nellie Mae Rowe.  It was presented by Dr. William Marchione after refreshments were served.  Thank you, Mr. Marchione for the very informative discussion and all of the attendees.

Lecture Synopsis:

A creative and resourceful self-taught African-American folk artist, Nellie Mae Rowe gained national recognition during the last decade of her life (1900-1982). Long before that, she was well known locally by visitors who came to her exuberantly embellished home on Pace’s Ferry Road, containing her colorful drawings, paintings, stuffed dolls, and recycled objects. Mrs. Rowe’s works are today on display at the High Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and several other notable public and private collections across the nation.  

Speaker Bio:

Dr. William Marchione, author of A Brief History of Smyrna (2013) and former Associate Professor at the Art Institute of Boston.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.