The Freid’s and Mark’s buildings will soon have new occupants overlooking Roanoke Avenue.

While not real occupants, they are paintings done by noted Halifax County artist Napoleon Hill that will be placed in the windows of the two buildings as a beautification project by the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance.

Paintings representing Freid's.

Through a grassroots-funding grant acquired through the Halifax County Arts Council, the alliance commissioned Hill to do eight acrylic paintings capturing the nostalgia of the avenue as well as the current use of the Freid’s building as a music school.

(The full-size photos can be viewed at our photo gallery)

The paintings include a millworker ending his day; a bouquet representing flower shops; wine representing dining; a musician and ballerina representing the music school; a man having a float at a diner and well-dressed mannequins representing Freid’s.

“This was something I did in my spare time,” Hill said at the old McCrory’s building, where the paintings will be on display for a month.

A ballerina and diner scene.

He used a clear coat on them to handle the abuse they may get when they are actually placed at their respective permanent homes — four at the Mark’s building and four at the Freid’s building.

Hill enjoyed the project. “It’s great what they’re doing, taking the old windows and using the art to enhance them. I think that it was a great idea.”

Hill, asked which was his favorite, diplomatically answered, “I like all of them.”

Dining and floral.

The artist said none of the paintings are truly related to the present. “It’s a little bit of nostalgia. It seems they have that feel.”

Main Street Manager Sherry Hux was pleased with the work. “Napoleon has created many beautiful pieces of art. He was our obvious choice. He created images of either what we have or what the avenue could be.”

Janet Dixon, who with her husband Jabo owns the McCrory’s building where the art is current displayed, said, “All of them have major symbolism of what we have on the avenue or what we hope could be in the district.”

Millworker and musician.

Joe Jensen, president of the arts council, was pleased with the work. “It’s great. It looks wonderful.”

Hill, left, and Jensen.

Jensen said the art would draw eyes away from boarded windows and would like to see more artists become involved. “It would be a great way to publish an artist’s work and be a great addition to the buildings.”