In Fall 2023, Sampson Community College (SCC) embarked on a project to feature local artwork from various North Carolinian professionals throughout campus. Artists Peter Butler, Paula Fitzpatrick, Josiah King, Allan Page, and Amelia Surratt graciously loaned various pieces to the College for temporary display, while Frederick Beaujeu-Dufour and Tom Turlington donated photographic images to SCC’s permanent collection.
Specializing in water and livestock scenes, Peter Butler boasts more than a quarter century of painting experience. Earning a bachelor’s in fine arts degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, his work has been displayed in both public and private collections throughout the country, including Duke Children’s Hospital in Durham. His creations: Six in the Field and Pig on the Beach reside in SCC’s Occupational building.
“I’ve lived here for thirty-five years,” remarked Butler. “The whole point of my paintings is for people to see them, and what better place to see them then at the College.”
Like Butler, Paula Fitzpatrick has practiced art for more than thirty years, exhibiting her work in over twenty shows and exhibits. She received her Masters degree in Health from the University of South Carolina, and took an additional two years of Studio Art. Fitzpatrick is also a former art instructor at SCC and the Sampson County Arts Council. She loaned six of her works to the College: Virginia Vista, Raven’s Roost, Highlights, Marsh Retreat, Afternoon Sky (Outer Banks Seascape), and an unnamed 11×14 oil seascape.
The current art instructor at SCC, Josiah King joined the College in Summer of 2022. He yields a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Graduate Certificate in Art History from Lindenwood University. For over six years, King has taught art courses at the college level. Twelve of his pieces are displayed throughout campus: Floor in Green, Floor in Blue and Red, Floor in Blue and Violet, Studio Door, Hidden Mountains, Res Sweat on Stool, Paper Bag, Blankets and Container on Floor, Flowers In Violet, In the Thick of It, Fireflies, and Sky in Yellow and Green.
Also temporarily loaning work to the College, Allan Page practiced carpentry for more than forty-five years before finding his current work in crafting game calls. Growing up, he was surrounded by artistry, as both his father and grandfather painted. But according to Page, he always saw art as just a hobby until recently— becoming the successful owner of Leaning Tree Game Calls. Yielding personal inspiration behind the pieces, he lent: Sunflower 1 and Sunflower 2 to the College.
Part of the Victor R. Small House Painters organization, Amelia Surratt has been painting in oils and watercolors for over ten years. Serving as a longtime director to the SCC Foundation, she loaned three watercolor cityscapes of Clinton to the College— now on display in the Administrative Offices.
One of the two artists to donate work to SCC’s permanent collection, Frederick Beaujeu-Dufour was born in Paris, France, and immigrated to the United States in 1994. He received his Masters of Business Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and moved to Clinton in 2001. An avid photographer, he is the artist behind the “Faces of Clinton” project seen at Downtown Clinton’s historic Henry Vann Building. Mr. Dufour has previously donated photographs to the College, and his new works: Firefighters 1-4 and Fox Hunt are now on display at SCC.
Similarly, Tom Turlington graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is the current President of F.L. Turlington Lumber Company, a business that has been in the family since 1917. Photography has been his lifelong interest, and he purchased his first single-lens reflex camera (SLR) from Joe Williams at the age of thirteen. Also adding to SCC’s permanent collection, Turlington’s photographs include images from the Clinton Rotary Annual Oyster Roast, local botanicals, and scenes from local industry.
Lisa Turlington, Dean of Advancement & Executive Director of the SCC Foundation, assisted in heading up the campus project. She wholeheartedly thanked the donors, “The College is fortunate to have so many talented and generous friends to share their work with our community. The exhibit lends a sense of vibrancy to our buildings, so I hope people will come visit campus and enjoy the exciting paintings and photography on display. We hope this will be the first of many exhibitions on loan. We thank them for their generous support.”
Bill Fulton, President of the SCC Foundation, similarly observed, “While some of the works appear to be of the ‘It makes you think/what’s your interpretation?’ variety, others are essentially the artist’s skillful rendering of a familiar subject matter. Just like the College’s slogan of ‘Begin Here, Go Anywhere,’ these talented local artists allow the observer to absorb their work from a variety of perspectives and points of view.”
“While walking around the College today, I was captivated by the great works of fine art we have on campus,” finished Grover Ezzell, SCC Foundation Vice-President. “It was most impressive seeing the beautiful pieces from our local artists. Thank you for being a part of our team at the College.”
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options and early college education. SCC is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for all.
