Jimmy Carter’s woodworking, painting and poetry reveal an introspective Renaissance Man

PLAINS, Ga. — The world knew Jimmy Carter as a president and humanitarian, but he also was a woodworker, painter and poet, creating a body of artistic work that reflects deeply personal views of the global community — and himself. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Creating art provided “the rare opportunity for privacy” in his otherwise public life, Carter said. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Mourners at Carter’s hometown funeral will see the altar cross he carved in maple and collection plates he turned on his lathe. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Carter gleaned the basics on his father’s farm, where the Great Depression meant being a jack-of-all-trades. President-elect Jimmy Carter gets a kiss from his mother, Lillian Carter, on Dec. 6, 1976, in Plains, Ga. President-elect Jimmy Carter gets a kiss from his mother, Lillian Carter, on Dec. 6, 1976, in Plains, Ga. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Still hanging near the store entrance is a picture of Frid, who died in 2004, teaching students including a smiling former president at the front of the class.