In the News

Local Artist Releases Reprints to Benefit High School Cross Country Team

Posted by Jen Lee on July 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Monday May 16, 2011: Limited Edition Historic Greeneville Tennessee Print “Union Party 1864” featuring President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson has just been released as a fundraiser for the Greeneville High Cross Country Team.

From left to right: Hannah Rhodes, Megan Bible, Chelsea Carpenter, Allison Hall, Paige Bible, Coach Jeff Bloomer, Zach Weaver, Artist Joe Kilday, Derrick Gibson, Dylan Jones, and Mark Edwards. (Coach Bloomer holding one of the limited edition prints "Union Party 1864")

The beautiful print depicts our local beloved Andrew Johnson and one of our most well known Presidents in U.S. History, Abraham Lincoln, seated in discussion during a very dark time in our country while embattled in Civil War. The Union Party was created in 1864 for this winning presidential ticket which brought together a Republican incumbent with a democratic vice president to form the Union Party.

The original oil was painted by popular native Greeneville, Tennessee artist Joe Kilday. According to Kilday, he painted the scene to reflect the dark times facing President Lincoln and Greeneville’s own then vice-president Andrew Johnson. Kilday indicated that he painted the scene to appear historically relevant to the period in a Victorian “Currier & Ives” style and “Harper’s Weekly” style which was popular during the 19th century.

The original oil painting “Union Party 1864” is currently on display at the (Downtown) Chocolate Café and Coffee Company prominently displayed in the upper gallery on Masons Corner. Chocolate Café (Downtown) hours are Mon-Fri 7-4 and Sat 8-2. (423) 638-2109 The downtown location will be open 8 to 4 Saturday and Sunday 1-4 during Iris fest.

Artist Joe Kilday pictured in the upper gallery on Masons Corner at Chocolate Cafe in front of the original oil painting "Union Party 1864"

The “Union Party 1864” is a limited edition of 500 prints of which each is signed by the artist and individually numbered. Kilday last reproduced an oil painting “Andrew Johnson” into a limited edition print in 1988 which was very popular to local historians and collectors.

The “Union Party 1864” limited edition prints are available for purchase for $35 at both Chocolate Café and Coffee Company locations (103 North Main Street, Downtown Greeneville adjacent to General Morgan Hotel) and (665 Erwin Hy, Tusculum (423 638-6221) -Located across from Tusculum College’s Doak House Museum). The print is also available at Oak Tree Gallery and Nathaniel Greene Museum.

During the Iris fest on Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22, 2011 GHS Cross Country Team will be selling the prints at Chocolate Café on Main Street and artist Joe Kilday will be signing the “Union Party 1864” limited edition prints throughout the day. Local Lincoln Presenter Chris Small will be in attire as “Abraham Lincoln” on Sunday during Iris fest at Chocolate Café.

100% of the proceeds will go to Greeneville High School Cross Country Team as a FUNDRAISER towards their quest for a 2011 State Cross Country Championship.