Ty Hooker

Ty was born in Goldston, NC. When he was 2 years old, the family moved to Sanford and settled at the old Snipe’s Lumber Company, which was located in the area where Sloan Park is now.

He attended W.B. Wicker School; this was a 1st through 12th grade school at the time.  In high school, Ty played in the school band and on the football, basketball and baseball teams.  He can’t remember when his interest in art began, but he knows it was as a kid.

After graduation in 1963, Ty attended NC Central University; it was known as NC College at Durham in those days.  He majored in and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art.  He was also on the 1963 CIAA Championship Football Team at Central.

Ty lived in Washington, DC for some time and was a member of the DC Fire Department.  During this time, he attended several workshops and art classes.  He returned to Sanford where he began a career with the U.S. Postal Service working at the Pittsboro office.  Transferring to the Tarpon Springs, Florida office, he again studied art with one of the local art teachers. During this time, he joined the Tarpon Springs Art Association.  He really enjoyed that club and participating in  several of their annual art shows. 

As he knew he would someday, Ty came home to Sanford and found his way to the Sanford Brush & Palette Club.  He is an active member, serving many terms on the SBPC’s Board of Directors, working with many committees and exhibiting at shows and venues.  He said, “I always knew I would return to Sanford when I retired — there’s no place like home”.  Through all of his travels, art had always been a part of his life—sometimes more than others— now, “it’s the main thing!”