THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410240208
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Preservationists and museum officials are trying to figure out how to save some of folk artist Anderson Johnson's best works - the murals painted onto the walls and ceilings of his house.
The city says it must demolish 14 homes, including Johnson's, to build a 50,000-square-foot recreation center.
Johnson's house, which doubles as the Faith Mission church on Sundays, is very different from the others. The exterior is painted white and decorated with Bible verses. The interior is covered with his paintings - on the walls, on the floor, hanging on strings from the ceiling - about 2,000 in all.
Johnson, 79, didn't put up a fuss last month when he learned the city wanted to buy his house to tear it down. But he says if the city wants to save his works, he approves.
Ann Oppenhimer of Richmond, president of the Folk Art Society of America, and officials from several area museums plan to meet Thursday with Newport News Planning Director Paul Miller.
Miller said the city may have to bring in a professional so the paintings won't be damaged, but he thinks the artwork may be salvageable.
Johnson's work has been displayed in area museums, art books and even a Virginia Power calendar. To prepare for the wrecking ball, he has been busying selling some paintings and moving others to his new home. by CNB