Havre de Grace Artist receives Recognition from American Visionary Art Museum

Do you remember “the Button Lady”?
A colorful and eccentric character, Dee Foe was an icon of the 300 block of St John Street in Havre de Grace. After collecting buttons for over 30 years and using her buttons to create unique pieces of art, Ms. Foe opened Art Pantheon in February of 2010 to the delight of visitors and residents. The unique gallery was closed in October of 2012 after Ms Dee suffered setbacks in her health.

A vast collection of artwork
After the close of “Art Pantheon” most of Dee Foe’s work was sold at auction. Three of her pieces of art found their way to The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. These pieces are (all photos are courtesy of the American Visionary Arts Museum):

Delores Foe
Faith (or Doodle #1)
1985
Buttons on plywood
Gift of the artist in memory of Helen Goldhart
2012.65.1

“This creation, also all buttons on a plywood backing, was inspired by some of Dee’s ‘doodles’ through the years. It was completed on January 7, 1985. The notation she wrote on the back of the frame is that “doodles are not just doodles” and that we are given 2 hands for a reason-so that we can help each other.” -Sherry Jordan- daughter of Dee Foe.

Delores Foe
Divorce (or Convulsions)
1997
Acrylic and found objects on plywood
Gift of the artist in memory of Helen Goldhart
2012.65.2
“This creation is made from paint and items that were found in button boxes- odds and ends. This piece is her (Dee’s) expression of how-in the throes of a divorce, one undergoes such pain. Every part of the body and spirit is torn apart and wounded, tears are shed. Through it all, however, everything seems to come together and a new life can begin.” -Sherry Jordan- daughter of Dee Foe.

Delores Foe
Indian Medicine Wheel
1992
Buttons on plywood
Gift of the artist in memory of Helen Goldhart
2012.65.3
“This creation is buttons put onto a plywood backing- I believe there are about 4,000 buttons total. Done by ancient people all over the world, these wheels are built on Earth’s lay lines. Each spoke gives off different energy. This wheel represents the neutralizing of electrodes in the soil, giving off different energy. Gray represents stones, brown represent soil. Refer to Medicine Mountain in Wyoming National Park and other places in the world such as Stonehenge and the pyramids.” -Sherry Jordan- daughter of Dee Foe.

Recognition by AVAM Founder/Director, Rebecca Alban Hoffberger

As a token of their appreciation, AVAM Director Rebecca Alban Hoffberger sent a photo and card to Miss Dee. Friends and family gathered on Monday July 27 to present her with this keepsake.

Want to send a card to “The Button Lady”?

Do you miss “The Button Lady”? If so, she would love to hear from you!! Send her a note:
Dee Foe
Citizens Care Center
Room 028B
415 Market St
Havre de Grace, MD

Check out this video of Miss Dee in her shop!