Salem couple celebrates 50th anniversary with art exhibition
Bill and Mary Lou Hill in front of portraits of their grandchildren, painted by Mary Lou. / Photo courtesy of John Long, the Salem Museum.
How do you celebrate fifty years of marriage when both parties are avid painters? With an art exhibit, of course!
From now until Sept. 8 the Salem Museum will exhibit a special display called “The Art of the Hills,” featuring the work Bill and Mary Lou Hill, Salem residents with more than a century of painting experience–and half a century of marriage experience– between them.
Bill, retired professor from Roanoke College, and Mary Lou, a retired educator, have both been painting since childhood. Married in 1962, the Hills celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer. When their children rented space at the Salem Museum for a party and suggested they hang some of their work for the reception, the idea evolved into a month-long exhibit exploring the relationship between art, family, and love.
The varied subjects in “The Art of the Hills” include regional scenes and far-flung landscapes, such as two depicting Anasazi ruins in Arizona. Generations of the artists’ family can be seen, including Mary Lou’s grandparents and the couple’s grandchildren Isabelle and twins Crockett and Samson.
“Bill and Mary Lou are wonderful folks and fixtures of the Salem community,” said John Long, Salem Museum director. “We are thrilled to help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in this way.”
“The Art of the Hills” will remain on display through Olde Salem Days, September 8th.
The Salem Museum is located at 801 East Main Street in Salem, and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 4, and Saturday from noon to five. No admission is charged for the Museum galleries.
Submitted by John Long, the Salem Museum.
August 7, 2012 - 2:00 PM
I sure wish we were closer so that we could see this exhibit. The Hills were always among my favorite people. Wishing them congratulations on 50 years and best wishes or many more happy and healthy years together.
Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Hill. I did not know you were painters. It has been many years since I was in your classes, Dr. Hill. I still remember and apply things I learned through my internship at the General Assembly with David Thornton and the research class in which we did a study on school age children in Salem’s mobile homes in 1970 (I think).
Phyllis Dorton Shannon, Class of ’72
Way to go Cousin. A wonderful and well deserved recgnition for two wonderful people who I am proud to call family. Has it really been 50 years since I married you. That does not seem possible. Nancy and I wish for you both the very best of God’s blessings, which, in my humble opinion, you so richly deserve. Bill and Mary Lou, “live long and prosper.”
Larry and Nancy Miller
Just to clear matters up, the pictures of our grandchildren behind us in the photo might suggest that they are kept in aquariums, but they are not!
Thanks, Barb, Phyllis, and cousin Larry.
Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary, and on the art exhibit! Proud to say we have a few Hill masterpieces in our home. Hope to make it down to Salem to view the exhibit before it closes. Bob and Cyndi
Bill and Mary, How wonderful that your art history and your 50 yr anniversary were celebrated together in the art museum there in Salem. Just found this article today so I am wishing you another wonderful Christmas and Many more years ahead to share your wonderful talents.
Jan Hill