Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Troy Fest

Troy Fest
101 E Church St, # A
334-566-2294

History:

Jean Thompson was born August 29, 1929 in Troy, Alabama. She married James Thomas “Trigger” Lake and together, they had three children. Without the benefit of formal training, Jean painted from childhood. While she worked for the First Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Troy, her avocation was art and her simple, primitive works were shown throughout the Southeast, gaining popularity and winning several awards.

Jean has been described as a fun-loving, free-spirit talent and was a favorite among the traveling artist circuit. She would often invite her art friends to her beloved hometown for art shows. After Jean’s death in 1976, friends of Jean Lake approached The Troy Council on the Arts and Humanities to combine local art shows into a big two-day art show, to be held on the grounds of the Pike Pioneer Museum, to showcase the region’s best artists and more importantly, honor Jean Thompson Lake. The first Jean Lake Memorial Art Show was held in 1982.

Recent News

Troy Fest 2024

TroyFest, held in honor of Jean Lake, is the premier fine art & craft festival for the central Alabama region. The weekend long show draws upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Troy to celebrate the arts. As always, a wonderful selection of…

Read More »