By Matt de Simone
For nearly six decades, Peggy Davis helped preserve Fincastle’s history and promote the arts. This year, the Historic Fincastle Festival will honor her legacy by putting the spotlight on a new generation of local artists.
Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI) is sponsoring a student art show during the festival Sept. 26, inviting students from throughout Botetourt County to create artwork celebrating the county.
Davis, who passed away in January, was one of the 16 original signers of Historic Fincastle’s Articles of Incorporation in 1968 and was the last surviving member of that group, according to information provided by HFI President Patsy Dickerson. She remained active with the organization for 58 years, serving in numerous positions, including treasurer, president, publicity director, art show chairwoman and Fincastle Festival chairwoman.
“She was her own person,” said Angela Coon, one of Davis’ longtime friends. “She definitely had her own ideas about things, and was glad to share them.”
Coon said Davis was always interested in the arts and volunteered at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke. Davis also maintained a private art collection that included works by numerous local artists. Her passion for the arts extended well beyond her work with Historic Fincastle.
“She loved to travel,” Coon said. “And she was interested in music and art and all kinds of things.”
Davis’ involvement with the Fincastle Festival was particularly meaningful. Coon, who helped run the festival for eight or nine years, served alongside Davis on the festival board.
“She always enjoyed the festival, obviously,” Coon said. “And she liked to be associated with the art show in particular.”
Davis also helped oversee the festival’s longtime art show, which traditionally featured artwork displayed along the fencing around the Botetourt County Courthouse.
Lynne Bolton, another longtime friend, said Davis was a prominent presence in the Fincastle community.
“She was a force to be reckoned with all through Fincastle,” Bolton said.
Bolton said she grew up with Davis and their families were close enough that Davis was known as “Aunt Peggy,” despite not being a blood relative.
Davis’ commitment to the community extended beyond Historic Fincastle. She volunteered with local cultural organizations and remained involved in the arts throughout her life.
Historic Fincastle President Patsy Dickerson said Davis’ home reflected that passion. Artwork filled the rooms, including pieces by well-known artists, local creators and Davis’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Davis also devoted much of her life to her family. She was the mother of five children, grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of eight.
Now, HFI hopes children throughout Botetourt County will help continue the artistic tradition Davis worked so hard to foster.
The art show is not a competition. Students may submit artwork in any two-dimensional medium, excluding photography, with the artwork depicting something related to Botetourt County.
Artwork will be displayed in the Luster Building during the Fincastle Festival, which will be held Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entries must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 17, at any First Bank branch or Botetourt County library. HFI is also working with local schools in hopes that they will help collect submissions.
Entry forms and additional information are available at hisfin.org.
For those who knew Davis, the tribute honors a member of the community who spent much of her life promoting the arts and preserving the community she loved.
“I think she’d love it,” Coon said of the student art show. “I think she’d absolutely love it.”
