Wheeling Heritage to host ‘Portrait of America’

Wheeling Heritage’s upcoming art exhibit will feature 55 ultra-realistic portrait paintings by a Wheeling artist. Alan Fitzpatrick’s “Portrait of America” will run from Nov. 8 through 29 on the third floor of the Artisan Center, 1400 Main Street. A free opening reception will be held Nov. 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

An 18th century historian, author and lecturer, Fitzpatrick recently returned to his childhood passion of painting and drawing. He has drawn and painted many of the subjects that he has written about, as well as many Native people that he has met in the past years during his travels to the American Southwest.

Fitzpatrick’s portraits capture the emotion and spirit of individuals in an ultra-realistic style. This body of 55 pieces of his work, with both historical characters and contemporary models, is a testament to his passion for bringing the shared human expression of emotion and character to life.

The Artisan Center gallery is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.