A decorative fence in front of the Wilgus home, Woodland Street. (Lisa Jewel photo)

Most school days, I use Woodland Street as a shortcut to Davidson Elementary School, and that takes me past the home of David and Robin Wilgus. I always stare at the heavily detailed wood and iron fence and their home’s Victorian trim. Although the original house is not from the Victorian era, its imposing facade and generous porch make you want to pull over, park and take a look around.

Obelisk at the Whitton home

David Wilgus first came to my attention through his neighbor, Davidson College Professor Robert Whitton. Prof. Whitton and wife Amy Diamond live on Greenway Street, and had asked David to design them a magnificent obelisk to rescue a trailing hydrangea vine. (Yes, hydrangeas come in vines.) David who is a master illustrator and fine artist, researched Egyptian obelisks and devised a 15-foot tall structure that included a place for visitors to sit.

Local craftsman Pat Ahern built the obelisk on site to meet David’s specifications. I wish the obelisk was in his front yard, rather than the rear, so that passers-by could enjoy its grandeur as much as I did.

After chatting with David and Robert for bit, David invited me back to his home for a tour. (A chance to look around!) I knew it was going to be a treat – but I got something altogether unexpected.

Wilgus back yard. (Lisa Jewel photo)

Now let me say here: I lived in Los Angeles for 27 years and I’ve seen some unusually designed homes, inside and out. But I was not prepared to find that sort of thing in Davidson.

David took me to the backyard, where the back porch is what I would call a “glass menagerie.” It’s a morphing masterpiece of glass ornamentation, wrought iron, ephemera, and classical statues. It was a living piece of art. David says he adds and subtracts pieces so often he can not keep track.

One could spend hours just examining one square foot of this porch, and want to come again and again just to see what’s changed. It seems to be alive with light, color and form.

Portrait of "Annabelle"

David gave me the tour of the rest of the house, which was filled with Victorian era art that he and his wife collect. I was thrilled when I saw his illustrations. He has many happy clients here in Davidson who hire him to do color pencil portraits of their children and pets. His technique has been honed after many years as an illustrator.

David possesses a true artist’s mind and heart. He seems to be delighted with what the world holds. He wants to capture it, experience it and share it. I was so glad to spend the morning with him and thankful that he showed me his world behind the gate. If you want to see more of his art, go to: www.wilgusillustration.com

Art Around Town,” by Lisa Jewel, appears Fridays on DavidsonNews.net’s Guide page. Lisa is keeping a sort of “visual journal” of interesting objects she finds in the area. Some are items for sale at local galleries, others prized possessions in our homes. Have an object to share? Email Lisa, lskjewel@aol.com. See her previous columns in the Art Around Town category