White, Johnson Center development director, viewed the artwork of Fleming’s mother, Lois Brantley, as a prospect for an upcoming exhibition at the Johnson Center for the Arts featuring deceased artists of Pike County.

Lois Brantley of the Banks community began painting when she was in her 70s and was a prolific china painter.

“The quality of Lois Brantley’s work was fabulous,” White said. “China painting was very popular at one time and many women took classes. Some were excellent, and Lois Brantley was among them.”

White said Brantley’s work was elegant and had a special quality that sets it apart.

“Her work is exceptional,” she said. “It’s absolutely beautiful. And the quantity and variety of her work is amazing. She painted dinnerware, pitchers, vases and lamps and to think that she began painting late in life.”

Brantley also painted on canvas. Her artwork was simple, White said, but very good.

Lois Brantley is among the deceased artist of Pike County whose work is displayed only in family homes or, perhaps, packed away and maybe even forgotten.

The upcoming “Roots Exhibit: The Late Artists of Pike County” is an opportunity for the artwork of many of these artists to be displayed, celebrated and appreciated.

Morgan Drinkard, Johnson Center executive director, said that the Late Artists of Pike County exhibit is part of the Center’s continuing “Roots” series.

“The ‘Roots’ series is designed to highlight Pike County artists,” Drinkard said. “So far, we have exhibited both 2D and 3D pieces of Pike County artists as well as the ‘masters,’ Jean Lake and Pugh Windham. We are honored to highlight the artwork of the late artists of Pike County. We want to celebrate and catalogue the artwork that is in homes and other places where it is not viewed publicly.”

The Johnson Center received a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts that will assist with cataloging artwork that is displayed at the Johnson Center and other artwork of note that is created by Pike County artists.

We are honored to highlight the artwork of the late artists of Pike County. We want to celebrate and catalogue the artwork that is in homes and other places where it is not viewed publicly.”

The Johnson Center received a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts that will assist with cataloging artwork that is displayed at the Johnson Center and other artwork of note that is created by Pike County artists.

The “Roots Exhibit: The Late Artists of Pike County” will open Nov. 14 at the Johnson Center for the Arts and run through Dec. 18.