ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997 TAG: 9704090035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ANDREA GIBSON THE ROANOKE TIMES
MEMO: NOTE: Also ran in April 10, 1997 Neighbors.
Bryan Emmerson said he had motives other than making money when he suggested the project to his wife.
Bryan and Marie Emmerson may call Christiansburg home, but they have a special place in their hearts for Salem High School.
After all, it was Bryan, a fourth-year English teacher at the school, who proposed during halftime of a 1994 football game by having cheerleaders unroll a huge sign asking, ``Will you marry me, Marie?''
So it's not surprising the couple wanted to do something special to commemorate Salem High's first state football title, which the Spartans earned in December with a 20-12 victory over Sherando.
``This was a big deal to this community,'' said Marie Emmerson, who is certified to teach art but has been unable to find a teaching job since graduating from Radford University in December 1995. ``They're very proud of their high school. ... I thought it would be a good way for us to give back to Salem and a good way for me to get my name out there.''
Emmerson has released 250 prints of her original watercolor, ``Salem Proud.'' The prints, which are available at several outlets in Salem for $20, feature Salem coach Willis White being carried off the field on the shoulders of players Brandon Poff and Mike Conlan after the Spartans won the state title game.
It is the first major commercial venture for Emmerson, whose previous work had been limited primarily to individual portraits. Bryan Emmerson said he had motives other than making money when he suggested the project to his wife.
``She's humble - too humble,'' he said. ``My main goal was to see her encouraged because I think she's too blessed not to be working.''
Marie Emmerson said she was apprehensive at first about selling her work on a larger scale.
``I was really nervous,'' she said. ``Your family is always encouraging you and telling you how good you are, but it's really scary when you put something out there in front of someone who doesn't know you from Joe.
``But Bryan was really encouraging. If it weren't for him, I would still be in my house all day doing my little drawings.''
As a model for her painting, Emmerson obtained the rights to a photo that originally ran in the Salem Times-Register. She made some modifications to the scene, including adding the scoreboard in the background to show the game's final score.
The original painting is done in brown and the 8-by-10-inch prints are black and white, mounted on cardboard. The first print was presented as a gift to White.
``I was very thankful, humbled really,'' said White. ``I'm not used to that kind of attention.''
The print is available at the following Salem businesses: The Frame Connection, Olde Salem Framing & Gallery, Fast Freddy's Restaurant, Salem Bookworks and Spartan Silk Screen, or by calling the Emmersons at 382-5583.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON THE ROANOKE TIMES. Marie Emmerson with herby CNBoriginal watercolor, ``Salem Proud.'' The Christiansburg artist is
selling prints of the original, which features Salem High School
football coach Willis White being carried off the field on the
shoulders of two players - Brandon Poff (left) and Mike Conlan
(right) - following the Spartans' state championship victory over
Sherando in December. color.