William Nealy exhibit on display in Johnson City
Adventure-themed artwork by the late William Nealy on loan from Nantahala Outdoor Center is on display through June 9 at the Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.
The exhibit, “Mr. December: The Life, Art & Experience of William Nealy ... Illustrator & Outdoor Sports Cult Hero,” features over 100 original maps, cartoons, comics, books and sketches. Also on display are large-scale reproductions of Nealy’s art, including an 8-foot-tall map of the Nolichucky River. Visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a unique prize.
Nealy — an artist, author and part-time adventurer — began creating a series of hand-drawn river maps and guidebooks during the late 1970s that became popular among rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The exhibition, curated by Dr. Scott Honeycutt and Reece staff, features Nealy’s work, and celebrates his adventure lifestyle through an installation of various outdoor-adventure equipment.
For more information, visit etsu.edu/reece.