If you’ve ever dreamed about owning an original oil painting by a well-known established nationally — acclaimed artist, look no further than the Saluda Community Library, located at 44 West Main Street. From now through Dec. 8, anyone can purchase a raffle ticket in hopes of acquiring a William Jameson oil entitled “Fall on the Green River.” Valued at $4,000, the 22” x 28” landscape painting is attractively framed in a gold setting.
Depicting the local natural beauty of the Green River: nature at its best it will be on view throughout the year close to the front circulation desk. Jameson is known too for his love of nature and hiking, sketching, doing small field studies, taking many photos, then developing compositions. He and wife Anne, also an artist, have now made charming historic Saluda a permanent home, despite forays to Mexico, the Southwest, the low country of South Carolina and Italy!
For many years, Saluda went through a period of not having a library — until town resident and community leader Melody Gibson spearheaded an effort, which led to donation of a historic brick building once known as the Martin Tea House. Renovations were finished in 2000 — most of the funding was accomplished privately, without funding from the county. Today, the library offers full services and a well-appointed meeting room used by city council and others.
Saluda librarian Bob McCall says, “We appreciate Bill Jameson’s generosity and his hard work to help support the library. Please come buy tickets!”
He notes that 100 percent of the proceeds will be used to support the Saluda library. For further information, call the library at 828-749-2117.