THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604180153
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
The Dare County art community lost one of its most passionate members to heart disease last week.
Lee Knotts, 53, died at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital while awaiting a new heart, leaving a legacy of caring that will not be forgotten.
Knotts' energies were spent promoting the arts as a teacher at College of The Albemarle and a member of the Dare County Arts Council. He was a painter who appreciated the traditional approach to his materials. Knotts reveled in painting on linen, and oils were his primary medium.
``Although he painted realism, it was from his soul, and he was very articulate,'' said local gallery owner Glenn Eure.
Knotts played a role in setting up the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts and was working to do the same on the Outer Banks. His vision for the Outer Banks included creating a thriving center to accommodate working artists, theater productions, a gallery, a gift shop, rotating historic displays and teaching space.
His altruistic vision prompted local artists and art appreciators to rally and combine their efforts for the same goal. The center has not come to fruition, yet.
But Knotts will not be forgotten. He was a rare individual who applied no limits to his dreams.
The Outer Banks art community grieves over the loss of Lee Knotts, but his energies live on in the hearts of his students and the people who loved him. by CNB