The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh has received a gift of modern and contemporary art from the collection of Jim Patton, the founder of a leading Washington, D.C., law and lobbying firm, and his late wife, Mary, an accomplished painter. The Pattons have had long-standing ties to North Carolina. Jim was born and raised in Durham and graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Mary grew up in Durham and attended the Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro). The couple’s passion for art and collecting began with Mary’s lifelong interest in painting and was rooted in their deep commitment to stewardship. According to a release from the museum, Jim Patton, said, “I am thankful we were able to collect this art and give it back to the world. I like the idea that these works that Mary and I enjoyed over the years will give pleasure to other people.”
