History, Art and Moonshine Stories Fill the Smith Civic Center
{PhotoCredits: Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}
On Saturday afternoon, August 9, the Edward C. Smith Civic Center transformed into a lively crossroads of art, history, and Carolina culture as visitors gathered for “Saturday Afternoon at the Smith – A Medley of Beautiful Art and Interesting Information.”
From 3 to 5:30 p.m., guests moved between the Smith Gallery and the ballroom, soaking in a blend of local artistry and rich historical storytelling. The event, hosted by the Davidson County Historical Museum, the Lexington Public Library, and the Civic Center, featured a North Carolinian pallet wood art exhibition alongside discussions about the state’s moonshine era, segregation, and NASCAR roots.
Jim Myers, a lifelong Davidson County resident, Lexington City Council member, and retired Senior Vice President of Lexington Home Brands, welcomed visitors to the gallery. He shared his private collection of pallet wood—also known as plank—art, pieces he had discovered at nonprofit silent auctions. Several artists were present, answering questions and sharing the inspiration behind their work.
Around 4 p.m., historian Dr. Daniel S. Pierce, a professor at UNC Asheville and an authority on Southern Appalachian history, took the stage. Pierce delved into North Carolina’s “First in Prohibition” legacy, telling stories that linked the state’s moonshine tradition to the birth of NASCAR. His talk touched on the politics of the era, including segregation, and how those forces shaped both rural communities and racing culture.
The program was free to the public. Attendees lingered after the presentations, browsing books on moonshine, racing, and regional history while taking in the last glimpses of the artwork.
For those in attendance, the afternoon was more than an event—it was a snapshot of North Carolina’s creative spirit and complicated political history, all under one roof in the heart of Lexington.
