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.