31. Artist Ivey Hayes was born in Rocky
Point, North Carolina on August 15,
1948 to Wilbert Hayes and Dilsey
Fennel, one of eight children. As a
third grader at Rocky Point
Elementary School, Hayes took up
painting. After he graduated from
South Pender High School in Rocky
Point in 1966, Hayes enrolled at
North Carolina Central University. He
graduated from North Carolina
Central with a B.A. degree and the
University of North Carolina at
Greensboro with an M.F.A. degree in
1970 and 1975,
respectively. Hayes hosted his first
art exhibitions in 1970 at Kitrell
College and North Carolina Central
University. He would develop a
signature artistic style that includes
the use of acrylic paints straight from
the tube to create vibrant and
emotive works.