Made By the Late Clyde Jones (b. 1938-39, d. Dec. 2025)
Back in the late 1980s and 1990s there was community movement to bring life back to Downtown Garner. The Historic Depot was restored, the Caboose was donated, and a major restoration done to the beautiful historic Bryan Building. Annual festivals were held during that “era” which would include art, music, vendors, barbecue cook offs, and lots of people. A folk artist by the name of Clyde Jones joined some of those events and made his famous eccentric “critters” with his chain saw. The critters he left behind were stored in the historic Caboose for the last 30 years! He was internationally known as “the Picasso of driftwood.” Throughout his decades of creating, Jones would see his work on the roof of Crook’s Corner restaurant in Chapel Hill, the Bynum General Store, the Smithsonian, the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, the Great Wall of China, and now, the Garner History Museum at the Depot. Sadly, Clyde Jones passed away on Christmas Day. The Museum has a display featuring three of his famous critters created at an early Downtown Garner festival. Come by on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and appreciate the whimsical works of this talented artist.
Submitted by contributing authors: Karen Padgett and Judy Bass
If you have stories or photos of the early downtown festivals, we would love for you to share with us!
Summary: Mr. Jones, of Bynum in Chatham County, recently passed away. He was one of North Carolina’s most famous folk artists, creating his colorful sculptures from wood which he accented with many “found” items. His work is exhibited in a number of well-known museums. Mr. Jones made and donated three whimsical animal sculptures for a festival in downtown Garner several years ago. The critters are currently “corralled” in the Garner History Museum at the Depot, 106 Pearl Street, Garner, NC. Museum hours are from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and other times by appointment.
