By Caitlin Murphy
Pittsboro, NC – The Town of Pittsboro is pleased to announce the completion of the restoration of the Clyde Jones mural with the dedication of an informational medallion on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 1 pm at the Clyde Jones mural located at 49 W. Salisbury Street in downtown Pittsboro.
The original Clyde Jones mural was commissioned in 1996 by Tami Schwerin and Lyle Estill as an early public art offering on the wall of their downtown software business. The mural was restored by local artist Thomas Begley in 2025, with guidance from Chapel Hill muralist Michael Brown and Stephan Meyers, longtime friend and archivist for Clyde Jones.
The medallion, funded by community donations, features a QR code that links to a webpage detailing the history of Clyde’s life and extensive work. The webpage is hosted and designed by Chatham Arts Council and the medallion was designed by Stephan Meyers and fabricated by Triangle Sign. The restoration project was financed by the Town of Pittsboro and through a grant from Chatham Arts Council, with paint donated by Sherwin Williams.
Folk artist Clyde Jones (1937 – 2025) of Bynum, NC, was recognized by scholars as a Visionary Outsider Artist. The mural captures the spirit of Clyde, who lived by the motto “It’s all about the kids.” Clyde was a beloved community member, dedicating his life and work to children of all ages. Best known for his iconic, whimsical wooden “Critters,” sculpted with a chainsaw out of cedar logs, Clyde’s paintings are also widely collected. Clyde never sold his art but generously shared his time and talent throughout his life. His work is found in private collections, museums and galleries across the United States and has been featured in magazines and books worldwide.
Related links:
Clyde Jones Artist page hosted by the Chatham Arts Council
PBS My Home segment about muralist, Thomas Begley.
Murals of Pittsboro Facebook Page