July 2014
The Beaufort Historical Association is pleased to welcome artist Larry Dean and his newest collection of work, Beaufort’s Colorful Palette. The opening will take place Thursday, June 5th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, located on the Beaufort Historic Site, 130 Turner Street.
Dean is the featured artist for the 54th Annual Old Homes & Gardens Tour, an event that invites visitors and locals alike to explore the rich history of Beaufort by strolling through beautiful and restored historic homes, superb gardens, churches, and public buildings throughout the seaport town. Dean’s painting, M.C. Thomas House, Beaufort, NC, left, will be featured on this year’s fine art poster and used in marketing and promotional materials.
The artwork that comprises Larry Dean’s show, Beaufort’s Colorful Palette, reflects one of his favorite destinations for travel and leisure. The opening will feature his inaugural collection of nautical themed work, which captures the charm of Beaufort’s waterfront town and the stunning coastal landscape through the eyes of a visitor.
Dean says of the show, “I live in Raleigh, so I greatly enjoyed this departure from the cityscapes that I normally paint, and I thoroughly enjoyed creating these paintings to portray Beaufort’s seaside village atmosphere that is experienced through the homes, boats, and the horses seen grazing across the water.”
Larry Dean is a native North Carolinian, born in Oxford, with artistic and musical roots that run deep in North Carolina soil. His mother was a talented painter who created all of her pieces from house paint, gifted from the family painting business, and inspired Dean to pursue art. When Dean’s mother became blind at the age of 32, she encouraged him to explore music and learn instruments as well.
An accomplished musician, Larry has been playing the piano and singing professionally since he was seven years old. He majored in music at Campbell University and pursued his passion by playing in country, jazz, pop, top forty, beach, and oldies bands. Larry currently enjoys a career in music as the owner and lead singer of the North Tower Band.
In the new millennium, Larry took his first acrylic painting class and channeled his creativity into a new passion. He became a member of Raleigh’s Visual Artists Exchange and began selling his work with great success. Notable customers include Frank Daniels Jr., Rufus Edminston, The Raleigh Country Club, Cary Visual Arts, the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. In 2002, Dean was awarded the blue ribbon for painting at the NC State Fair. Today he resides in Raleigh, where he continues to study painting and teach art classes at the Sertoma Art Center.
Larry explains, “I frequently travel with camera in hand, watching the light, shadows, and colors as they dance their way through the day, and then I return to the studio to study the snapshots and apply paint to canvas.” His work often reflects his favorite destinations in North Carolina, with a recurring theme of landscapes and cityscapes.
“I first met Larry when he was here with the North Tower Band in 2012”, says Patricia Suggs, Executive Director at the Beaufort Historic Site. “The band was on a break, and Larry was inside the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery enjoying looking at all the artwork. We talked and I realized I knew his work from ArtSource Gallery in Raleigh. We are thrilled to have him here as our featured artist for our Old Homes Tour Weekend.”
Guests at the art opening can enjoy a delectable selection of food and wine, while enjoying the beautiful work of Larry Dean. Admission is free to the event. For more information on the Larry Dean exhibit and the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, visit the Beaufort Historical Association Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street or call 252-728-5225.