Internationally Known Artist to Exhibit at The Clayton Center in October

Clayton Visual Arts presents “Roots and Branches: Paintings by Luke Allsbrook”

Luke Allsbrook of Waynesville, who painted scenes for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on the royal tour of the United States last fall, will show a group of his paintings at The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton, during the month of October. “Roots and Branches: Paintings by Luke Allsbrook” will open Friday, Oct. 6, with a reception for the public and invited guests to meet the artist from 6-8 p.m. in the lobby of The Clayton Center. The exhibit will continue through Oct. 30. Exhibit hours are Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sponsored by Clayton Visual Arts, a private, non-profit group, the exhibit will feature a large, 21-inch by 63-inch oil on panel entitled “Elegy to My Grandfather.” Allsbrook’s grandfather lived in Clayton and was superintendent of the N.C. State University Research Farm on U.S. 70 for many years, and the artist visited Clayton frequently and painted scenes in the area.

Allsbrook, who lived in New York City for nine years establishing his career, moved his family to Waynesville in 2004 to join his father, William, a Georgia physician, who retired there. The artist accompanied Prince Charles and the Duchess of Windsor on a five-day tour of western states last fall, painting quick sketches of various tour stops. The Prince purchased all of the sketches and selected one for a large painting, donated by the artist. Another of Allsbrook’s paintings, done in Normandy, is in the Prince’s collection.

Clayton Visual Arts schedules free monthly art exhibits for The Clayton Center. For more information, call 919-550-4991.