Former U.S. president and hero of the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson will help fund an endowed scholarship at Elon University’s School of Law – through the sales commissions of reproductions of his portrait.
Jackson started his law practice in Guilford County in 1787. The only law program located in the county, Elon’s school was the perfect choice for temporarily housing the original painting starting in October.
Greensboro artist, Tony Forrest, was commissioned by the Greensboro Bar Association to paint the portrait. After more than three weeks of working on the painting, Forrest donated it to Guilford County in April.
Forrest’s painting is currently on display in Greensboro’s Central Library. It will be displayed in the Guilford County Courthouse and formally dedicated once renovations are completed in 2009.
Forrest is donating proceeds from sales of inkjet prints of the portrait to fund law school scholarships. The awarding of a scholarship in Jackson’s name is hoped to begin in the 2009-2010 academic year.