Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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On Thursday, Hedgpeth held the grand opening of Best in Show, an art gallery. While sirens of emergency vehicles were heard outside in late afternoon of the spring day, it had nothing to do with any actions at that historic address. Inside were many community leaders, including Mayor Joe Bennett and City Manager Kelly Craver, who were enjoying themselves, feeling safe and genuinely appreciative of what Dr. Hedgpeth was doing.
“The opening of this gallery has certainly been a step in a positive direction,” Craver said. “One of the things that has been a key ingredient in every successful downtown has been incorporating the arts. The arts provide a lot of interesting people and beautiful things to look at. It brings tourism and adds vitality to whatever area it comes to. You’ve seen it explicitly in Greensboro’s arts district and Winston-Salem has an entire block devoted to arts downtown, So I think this is one step in many of bringing more business downtown.”
Another community leader involved in sprucing up Thomasville’s historic downtown is Sue Hunter, who is active in PACE (People Achieving Community Enhancement).
“This is something we have looked forward to for some time,” Hunter said of the opening of Hedgpeth’s gallery. “It’s wonderful to see it come to fruition, and it’s nice to see how interested townspeople are in it.”
Hunter pointed out how it complements the gallery of High Point artist Stephen Sabastian, who has a gallery just the other side of the Big Chair on Randolph Street.
“I think it’s just marvelous that people who live in Thomasville can bring out-of-town guests here and then over to Sebastian’s,” she said. “Then they can stroll down for lunch or a cup of coffee.”
David Yemm, who joined the City Council late last year when Hedgpeth’s final term ended, has also been active in community development and preservation.
“Joe’s done a great job with this building,” said Yemm, who is a Realtor. “I saw it before in its pre-rehab state, and I’m amazed at the transformation.”
Hedgpeth bought the building last September. Its previous occupant operated Shades of Joy at that location.
“This is a welcome addition to downtown, giving it more variety,” Yemm continued. “I wish him the best.”
Hedgpeth retired as an OB-GYN in 2000. He succeeded Dr. Jim Hunter, Sue Hunter’s husband, on the council upon Dr. Hunter’s death and remained on it for five years. His love for art began when he was in college and did some oil painting and, later, acrylic. He moved on to watercolor, but took some time off in recent years when he became infatuated with computers. Eventually he got back into painting, taking some courses and painting some scenes he has visited.
“I didn’t have room to paint, but all of my paintings are here now,” Hedgpeth said.
Hedgpeth said he is more interested in helping fellow artists and contributing to the city’s arts scene than he is in making a profit.
“My commission is 15 percent, where most galleries charge 30-to-50 percent,” Hedgpeth said. “I like to bring people to Thomasville and have artists bring their friends here.”
One friend Hedgpeth has made lately is James Shuler, a transplant watercolor artist, who lives in Thomasville and teaches at the Archdale campus of Randolph Community College. Hedgpeth saw Shuler’s work and hunted him down. Upon establishing contact with the former building contractor, who is now a full-time artist, Hedgpeth invited Shuler to display his work at the new gallery.
“To have a place here in Thomasville to hang all my work is really a privilege for me,” Shuler said. “It’s one of the first times I’ve had this many paintings at one show.”
Other artists displaying at Best in Show’s grand opening were Joyce Metters and Phil Christman.
“Dr. Hedgpeth has done a beautiful job with his leap of faith,” Craver said. “Other people are also refurbishing buildings downtown. It’s amazing to see this happen before your very eyes.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.