New Portrait of Hal Holbrook Unveiled at The Dixie PAC

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — The legacy of the late actor Hal Holbrook has been immortalized in a new oil portrait, unveiled Wednesday, August 19, at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center. The painting, created by artist and former art professor Lindon Noe, now hangs in the Center, serving as a companion piece to an existing portrait of Holbrook’s wife, the late Dixie Carter-Holbrook.

Both husband and wife were instrumental in the founding and ongoing success of the performing arts center that bears Carter’s name. The late Mayor Dale Kelley was a personal friend of Dixie Carter. When he decided that Huntingdon needed a performing arts center, the town rallied around the idea and decided to name the Center in honor of one of the town’s most famous citizens.

Both Dixie and Hal loved the rural life of Carroll County, and often could be seen at their home in McLemoresville or even shopping at Walmart. They both provided performances at The Dixie as fundraisers for the performing arts center, now in its 21st year.

The new portrait is intended to honor Holbrook’s significant contributions to the venue, ensuring his presence remains a fixture alongside his wife’s.

Noe, who grew up in Jackson, Tenn., and taught for years at Lambuth University, was selected for the commission of the painting. She had previously exhibited her work at The Dixie in 2013.

The project was a collaborative effort, guided by Huntingdon native, Laura (Smothers) Deville, who worked closely with Noe to ensure the new painting would harmonize with the existing portrait of Dixie Carter. While the original portrait of Carter is rendered in colored pencil, Noe—an oil painter by trade—worked to ensure the new piece captured a similar spirit and scale.

“I made sure that everybody would be okay with that, but still tried to give the same feeling that you get from the one of Dixie Carter,” Noe said.

The painting, which measures approximately 40 by 60 inches, was the result of a month-long process. Noe conducted extensive research, synthesizing photographs from Holbrook’s iconic performances in “To Kill a Mockingbird” with additional reference material to capture the actor’s likeness. She also attended Holbrook’s live performance of “Mark Twain.” For Noe, the commission was a deeply personal honor. “This was such an honor and such a privilege,” she noted during the unveiling.

The two portraits will soon hang across from one another, creating a visual dialogue between the couple who were vital to the Center. The installation stands as a permanent tribute to the Holbrooks’ enduring impact on the arts in the region.