Super Bowl Sunday Shopping

Girls, while your husband or significant other is absorbed in the Super Bowl game, why not go shopping online at Village Prints? You will find limited-edition prints (published on parchtone paper) of more than 300 towns across 12 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. A few of the towns that you will find on the web site are Bristol, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Palatka, Florida; Camilla, Georgia; Due West, South Carolina; Kannapolis, North Carolina; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Bunkie, Louisiana; Yazoo City, Mississippi; Hayti, Missouri; and Corsicana, Texas. These prints make excellent gifts for any occasion; some people present them to their friends and relatives as they retire, for birthday or valentine gifts, or any other reason.

Happy Shopping!

Newly Redesigned Web Site at Village Prints. Com

Artist Tommy Thompson has now redesigned his web site for Village Prints.com. During the two decades, the artist has recorded for posterity the main streets of small-town America. Thompson has more than 30 years' experience in art, photography, printing and marketing. The native Mississippian studied graphic art at Mississippi State University, where he also supervised the art and photography division of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station. Thompson began his unique business, Village Prints, in 1984, and since that time he and his daughters Michelle and Melanie produced drawings of more than 300 towns in 12 states across the southern United States. Struck by the pride of older Americans in the heritage of their towns, Thompson has transformed glimpses of the past found in old, faded photographs and memories into composite drawings, which are then printed as limited editions. Collectors of Thompson's prints sometimes find it difficult to locate someone who is willing to part with their prints once all the prints of a particular town are sold, which sometimes occurs in a week or two. Because these art prints are limited editions, they represent an investment that increases in value over time. 

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville, North Carolina, depicted in this drawing, is a wonderful place to visit. The various landmarks depicted on the drawing include several historical homes, a number of churches, the dome of the courthouse, the old depot, the old high school and the post office. Hendersonville is located in Henderson County, North Carolina, 22 miles southeast of Asheville. It is the county seat of Henderson County. Like the county, the city is named for 19th-century North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.

The city has an exceptionally beautiful small-city downtown comprised primarily of boutiques, antique shops, and tourist attractions. Its architecture reflects the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hendersonville is also well known for the North Carolina Apple Festival that takes place on Main Street every autumn.

Lincolnton, North Carolina

Lincolnton, North Carolinahttp://www.villageprints.com/drawings/north-carolina/lincolnton-nc, is depicted in a Village Prints pencil drawing. Included on the limited-edition prints are several historical buildings, including a church, the old high school, the court house, and other significant landmarks.

Lincolnton is the county seat of Lincoln County. Lincolnton, a former textile mill town, is located in central North Carolina, northwest of Charlotte. The community was named for Revolutionary War Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. Gaston College is located in Lincolnton.

Kannapolis, North Carolina

The Village Prints drawing of Kannapolis, North Carolina, depicts several historical buildings such as the old Cannon Mills, the courthouse, city hall, an old movie theater, one of the churches, etc.

In 1906, James William Cannon bought several farms to build Cannon Mills Company. Under the guidance of James Cannon's son, Charles, Cannon Mills became the world's largest producer of household textiles and a household name. Kannapolis was built as a mill village of small craftsman-style homes. The mill employees lived in the homes for a low rent and enjoyed free maintenance, low- cost utilities, and free garbage collection and disposal while paying no taxes. The Cannons also provided a YMCA, a hospital, a police department, scholarships, loans and jobs.

In 1982, California financier David Murdoch took over Cannon Mills. Murdock merged the mill in 1985 with Fieldcrest Mills Inc. creating Fieldcrest Cannon. In 1984, the citizens of Kannapolis voted to incorporate making the largest unincorporated area in the United States the 16th largest city in North Carolina. The Pillowtex Corporation purchased Fieldcrest Cannon in 1997. The City prepared for the day the mill would close. In the mid-1990s, 10 square miles of land to the west of Kannapolis was identified as a growth area and annexed to the city.

Concord, North Carolina

When the new county of Cabarrus, North Carolina, was formed, there was controversy over the selection of the county seat. Finally, a compromise was reached and a new city was formed in 1796. The city was to be located on a 26-acre site and was to be called Concord, which means harmony. The founders felt the name appropriate since there was a coming together of the two factions to create the city. Concord was incorporated in 1806.

The Village Prints drawing of Concord depicts several historical landmarks such as the old court house, the old mill, the post office, the old high school and other buildings. Concord is located in the Piedmont. Gold was discovered near Concord in 1799, sparking the North Carolina gold rush. The city was the filming location for the 2001 movie, "Shallow Hal." Well-known residents have included William "Billy" Goodman, baseball player. Attractions in Concord include the Concord Motorsport Park, the Lowe's Motor Speedway, and NASCAR Speedpark. To purchase a copy of the print pictured above, see this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/north-carolina/concord-nc.

Monroe, North Carolina

My wife Marie and I enjoyed a visit to the beautiful town of Monroe, North Carolina. Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed meeting people like Helen Thomas of the First Citizens Bank, who is also president of the Breakfast Rotary Club. Matthew Sganga, chef/owner of Stone Table Cafe and Catering in Nottingham Plaza fed us well.

The pencil drawing of Monroe was done by our daughter, Michelle, whose work has been published in national civic magazines. She has been called "one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana." Her interest in art was sparked while she was a small child looking over her father’s shoulder as he was drawing. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in graphic design; soon afterwards she began working with her father, Tommy Thompson, also known for his sketches of Southern towns. The artist's composite pencil drawings reveal a meticulous attention to detail, which gives a delicate quality to the overall print. Her prints have often been used for fundraisers, raising money around the country and receiving greater prominence through features in national magazines. She also produced drawings of the homes of the late record producer Sam Phillips and late author Alex Haley. To order a print of Monroe, please click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/north-carolina/monroe-nc.