This “Meet the Artist” feature from Neighbors of The Glade (February 2026) profiles Miriam McClung, a 90-year-old artist living in Cumberland County, Tennessee.
Background: Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Miriam developed her love of art early, encouraged by her parents and trained by local artist Louise Cone. She studied fine arts at the University of Alabama and later at the Art Students League of New York, where she explored abstract expressionism before moving toward more figurative and contemporary styles.
Artistic Journey: With over 80 years of painting experience, Miriam works primarily in pastels, finding inspiration in the landscapes and daily life around her. Despite battling macular degeneration in both eyes, she paints or draws for at least an hour daily, saying “Keeping that routine keeps me joyful.”
Achievements & Projects: She has exhibited widely across Alabama and the Southeast, including shows at the Plateau Creative Arts Center in Fairfield Glade. She created a booklet of paintings called The Ramp for her church, First Presbyterian of Crossville, and has a major exhibition being planned at the Bradford Gallery in Nashville for 2026.
Her Message: Miriam encourages anyone hesitant about art to “take the plunge — it’s never too late to start or return to a creative pursuit.”