Leroy Person

Born in the swamps of North Carolina circa 1907 -- Leroy Person worked with his family as sharecroppers until he got a job at a local sawmill. Never fully learning to read or write, Person developed his own set of numbers, letters, and symbols that his family could understand. He was forced to retire the sawmill due to work related respiratory issues. Now at home he began carving and decorating his home and fence -- his neighbor Ozette Bell gave him praise and encouragement and his art practice was born. He would cut, carve, and color wonderful sculptures with crayon and other waxes.