The late Rick Dunn (Photo courtesy of Fran Dunn)

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By Christa Price

TRYON—The Tryon History Museum is assisting in the sale of Richard W. Dunn Jr.’s book and art collections through the Save Tryon Art event, scheduled for Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26. The event will be held at Tryon Train Depot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. 

Dunn, who passed away in August 2024, was the owner of Rick Dunn’s Painting & Remodeling for 45 years. He was a history enthusiast and an avid collector of fine art, pottery, furniture, cast iron, brass, books and stamped carvings from various esteemed toymakers and woodcarvers in Tryon.

He was passionate about the community of Tryon. He sought to preserve its beauty through the collection of local art, aiming to maintain that sense of significance and connection through history.

“Rick poured his passion into purposeful pursuit, scoring ‘deals’ for his beloved Tryon,” said Fran Dunn, Dunn’s sister-in-law. 

The Dunn Estate has followed Dunn’s wishes and has rehomed or sold over 100 paintings to area collectors since last fall. The remaining inventory includes watercolor paintings and oils from various artists, which will be sold at the event, along with drop-leaf and side tables, and over 600 books.

The books will feature both Polk County and Tryon writers, with varying genres of fiction, nonfiction, biographies, folklore, poetry, art and architecture, pictorial history and children’s titles.

A quarter of the proceeds generated from the event will benefit Dunn’s favored charity, the Tryon History Museum.

Tryon History Museum’s Wanda May says she is pleased to have important items to showcase Dunn’s legacy and is very excited to work with the Dunn Family throughout the event.

The Tryon Train Depot is located at 22 Depot St.