A Visit to Outsider Artist, Vollis Simpson, and his Whirligigs
February 4, 2008
For at least 10 years I have wanted to get out to Lucama, NC, a short hour-plus away from Raleigh, to visit one of NC’s true art treasures, Vollis Simpson’s Whirligig Windmill Farm. Saturday, Aly and I finally made the trek out there, and it was worth the wait! Driving around the back country of Eastern North Carolina, it was easy to assume we were lost, but then we came around a curve and…WOW…there it was…giant fantasy-like structures all turning and spinning at the whim of the wind. Some of the structures are over 50 feet tall, and all of them are intricate metal machines.
Mr. Simpson’s shop is on the corner of the site. We stopped in and were lucky enough to find him there working. You can only see his smaller pieces,the ones available for sale to the public, if he’s there at the shop to show them to you. There are not standard visiting hours or anything like that, so we felt lucky indeed. A neighbor and friend of Mr. Simpson’s came by while we were there because heneeded a piece of farm machinery welded for strength. So, we also got the pleasure of hearing all sorts of stories concerning the goings-on of the surrounding community.
Mr. Simpson is close to 90 years old, and continues to be incredibly prolific in both his art and his stories. He started working with metal and wind about 50 years ago, after returning from WWII. About 30 years ago, he started adding artistry and fantasy into his already functional wind devices.
Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs are now in museums and galleries around the country, and his Windmill Farm is listed as one of NC’s stops in Roadside America. He has been on 60 Minutes, PBS and lots of art or outsider art publications.
To find out more go to:
Science Museum of Minnesota (great overview of site and interview with Vollis)
Roadside America
Folk Art Magazine
Off the Map Travelogue, PBS
Stumble it!
Tags: , Art, Design, engineering, landscape design, Lucama, nature, outside, outsider art, Travel, Vollis Simpson, whirligig, windmill
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February 4th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Those are some awesome pictures. I can’t imagine being 90 years old and being that active.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:53 am
wow that’s amazing!!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:58 am
The windmill farm looks great. You must have had a wonderful time there. All the structures look wonderful. I hope to visit the place soon.
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 am
Thanks for writing this.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Nice photos and great to see your visit with Vollis online.
thanks for sharing.
…see the 2008 Whirligig Festival photo gallery @
http://www.wral.com/entertainment/image_gallery/3873336/
May 11th, 2009 at 5:24 am
hi im 13 and i like making whirligigs and them pictures are awsome they are the best aver 90 years old gosh your active for a 90 year old man and women
December 19th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Mr. Simpson’s whirligigs are amazing. Is it possible to buy them any way other than going to his shop (quite a distance from me)?
July 20th, 2010 at 9:52 am
what a great story. great pictures. thanks. 90 years old!!!!!!!!!!!! makes me feel pretty lame because i am 56 and i couldn’t do any of that. amazing what people can do. thanks again for the pictures. BEST of health to you Mr Simpson if you see this. may you go another 90 years sir.
October 19th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I send ALL of the visitors here. We are so fortunate to have Vollis in our backyard.
November 5th, 2011 at 6:45 am
Are you the gentleman who makes the man riding on a unicycle?
November 5th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Unfortunately I am not.