James M Moon

Jim Moon, born James Monroe Moon Jr, died Saturday January 5th at his home after a short battle with leukemia. He was born June 7, 1928 to James Monroe and Lurlene Dura Moon in Graham NC. He studied art at Cooper Union in NYC and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After serving in the US army during the Korean War he continued his studies at the Accademia Pietro Vanucci in Perugia Italy, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Mexico City College. His paintings are in many public and private collections worldwide, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery in Skopje Macedonia. He taught art at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, Hofstra University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, and Northwood Institute. During his tenure as founding director of the Art Department of the North Carolina School of the Arts he was instrumental in founding the North Carolina Dance Theater, the Alamance County Arts Council, and Salem College’s Art Summer School Program in Asolo, Italy.   Jim Moon was an inspiration, mentor, and friend to scores of art students and professional artists. In 1995 he founded the Asolare Fine Arts Foundation as a not-for-profit arts organization to serve other artists, providing exhibitions worldwide and artist residencies at his wooded country home near Winston-Salem.   Jim Moon is survived by his niece Jenny L. Sharpe, his grand niece Rachel A. Ainsworth, his life partner John D. Chapman, and his surrogate grandson Jamshid Jambulov. Following his wishes his body was given to the Wake Forest School of Medicine. A memorial gathering at his home will be announced for a later time. Donations in Jim’s honor can be made to the Asolare Fine Arts Foundation, 687 Callahan-Hill Road, Lexington NC 27295.  Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net