The Stokes County Arts Council is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibit of original art
by William Neagle in the Apple Gallery. A reception is scheduled for Friday, July 8 from
5:30pm-7:00pm in the Apple Gallery of the Stokes County Arts Council 500 Main Street
Danbury, NC.
William Neagle is a local artist and art educator. He received his BFA in Communications
Design from the University of Tennessee, but he explained that his art education began in 4 th
grade at Lakenheath Elementary on the Air Force base. He was enamored with comics, and he
and his friend, Ricky Chavez, tried to emulate some of the great comic artists of the time such as
Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, and John Romita, Sr. His friend’s father was an illustrator for the Air
Force, and so he became their drawing mentor. They spent many days at the dining room table
with their “assignments;” they sketched and then received a critique. Neagle continues learning
today and often takes online courses to gain insight that may help his artistic endeavors.
Neagle explained that Art, of all forms and genres, not just visual, has been a love of his for as
long as he can remember. Neagle writes lyrics, to which his brother, Carl Groves, Jr., of the
music group, Salem Hill, puts to music occasionally. Neagle has written a book, Catching the Ghost, and was the illustrator for Roberta Rogow’s Halvar the Hierling Series.
Education is important to Neagle. He has a passion for helping others such as formerly serving as the pole-vaulting coach at East Forsyth High School and currently teaching art at Sedge
Garden Elementary.
Neagle is married to his wife, Cindy, of 30 years. He has two children, Rachel and Wyatt, who
are also artists.
The work in this exhibit focuses on falling water. “Whether photographed or painted watercolors, the serenity and natural beauty of juxtaposed against the powerful (and sometimes
deadly) element of falling water makes it a fascinating subject to capture,” shared Neagle. He is a self-taught watercolorist. As for photography, Neagle’s experience started with graphic art; he
cropped, color-corrected, and manipulated photos long before he got his own camera. A waterfall that Neagle and family visited on a hike became one of his first subjects after getting his camera, and this photo sparked a new hobby. Since 2014, Neagle and family make biannual trips chasing waterfalls.
This exhibit will be on display July 1-August 15, 2022 in the Apple Gallery. The Stokes County
Arts Council is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm, Saturday,
10:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Sunday 12:00pm-6:00pm. For additional information about the exhibit,
please contact the Stokes County Arts Council at (336) 593-8159.