It is with great joy Presbyterian Women (PW) announces the purchase of a 1978 watercolor of First Presbyterian Church by artist Dimitrios Zografos. The beautiful watercolor, purchased in memory of Ernestine High Merchant, was made possible through the generous financial contributions given to Presbyterian Women by Ernestine’s family and friends in her memory.
The watercolor is notably located above the table outside the Vanguard doors in the Lisa Ham Gathering Space. In addition to the purchase, Presbyterian Women made arrangements with Frameworks to reframe and preserve the watercolor with museum quality materials and to have the watercolor digitalized. At a later date, PW may have prints and/or notecards made to sell at FPC, if desired. The watercolor is on permanent loan to First Presbyterian Church by Presbyterian Women.
Ernestine attended First Presbyterian Church from a small child and joined the church in 1955 at age 18. Ernestine was known for her “faithfulness” to the church. Her mother and grandmother nurtured a love for First Presbyterian Church resulting in Ernestine being a very faithful church member in worship services, church activities and Presbyterian Women. In 2012 Ernestine was recognized as a recipient of the PW Honorary Life Membership for her faithfulness over many years and her example of Christian witness to others. Her enthusiasm was encouraging to others. She acted as an evangelist by greeting visitors and encouraging them to come again or try Sunday School. She cherished First Presbyterian Church and the church family cared for and cherished Ernestine.
The painting was purchased from the Estate of Lee Hansley, a noted arts advocate, collector and Raleigh resident who died in 2019. For more information about Mr. Hansley, you may read his obituary here »
Dimitrios Zografos immigrated to the U.S. in 1952 and was recognized for his watercolors. Mr. Zografos was the recipient of the Marshal Prize from the UN, received state recognition from King Paul of Greece and in 1984 he was named as the official artist of North Carolina’s 400th anniversary. Additional information about Dimitrios Zografos »