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Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Hosts Film Screening and Round Table Discussion Nov. 13

by Madison V. Fisler

Nov. 12, 2013. In conjunction with the newly installed exhibit “The Painted Song,” which showcases the late Wiili Armstrong’s artwork, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum will host a film screening and round table discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

The film screening is of a documentary on the artist titled “From Billy to Wiili: An Artist’s Bipolar Journey” by L.G. Walker Jr. and Dan Morrill. The film documents Wiili’s life as an artist and as a social outcast in Boone, and delves into who the artist was. 

blue-self-portrait-28x22A round-table discussion will follow the documentary film screening with friends of the artist, collectors and the filmmakers themselves. 

The screening and discussion runs alongside the extensive exhibit at the museum, which will house the exhibit of more than 60 pieces of art including work on canvas as well as Armstrong’s famous “found art” pieces. 

“We have a lot of artwork on canvas, but he did a lot of ‘found art’ pieces where he would find things in dumpsters and paint on them. In the exhibit we have an ironing board, furnace door, hub cap, a cabinet door and a closet door,” said said Allyson Teague, assistant director and exhibits manager of the BRAHM.

Armstrong, who passed away in 2003, did the majority of his work in acrylic, but also used watercolor and mixed media. 

Armstrong’s colorful works and bold brush strokes have led to him being dubbed the “High Country van Gogh” by some. 

“The Painted Song” will be on display until May 3, 2014. 

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is located at 159 Chestnut Street in Blowing Rock. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, and admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children, seniors and military.