A celebratory welcome home reception is being planned for Bainbridge native James Partee Jr., internationally renowned wildlife artist, who will have a special exhibit titled, “My Brush with Wildlife,” at the Firehouse Arts Center beginning May 12 and running through the 29th.

The exhibit will feature 50 to 60 pieces of Partee’s collection of original oils and watercolors, as well as a few Giclees (copies of originals on canvas). His subjects are landscapes, wildlife, botanical, nautical and even some African works.

Partee has won many awards in the United States for his wildlife paintings, and as a result of his fame was asked to paint a portrait of one of Queen Elizabeth’s prized racehorses, “Carlton House” in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This gave him and his wife the opportunity in April 2012 to travel to England for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Phillip. There he had a tour of the Queen’s private dwelling, Sandringham, and even attended church services with the Royal family.

All of this is amazing considering that Partee says he is a self-taught artist.

He grew up in Bainbridge where he was very active in Boy Scouts, and credits the experiences he had with that organization as being instrumental in developing his interest in wildlife.

He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1967 and went on to Valdosta State University, then Troy State University where he majored in business and accounting.

His fame as an artist grew as he was discovered by Ducks Unlimited. His 45 years spent in wildlife paintings and his involvement with charitable organizations related to wildlife led him to meet Graham Browne, a member of Queen Elizabeth’s Special Services.

This resulted in his being asked to do the painting for the Queen. He is the proud recipient of a certificate designating him “Artist for the Queen,” which he highly prizes.

He is known for raising an excess of 11 million dollars for wildlife conservation and humanitarian charities during the past four decades. He is a Grand Slam Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited and his work has been featured in hundreds of national chapter banquets and events over the years. In 1986 he was selected to the “People of the Century’s” permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute, has been recognized as Georgia Governor’s Artist of Excellence, is a member of Who’s Who in Wildlife Art, and has received numerous awards from Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited and Waterfowl USA. He has even been invited as a featured artist for the post Grammy City Gala in Los Angeles held at the word famous Playboy Mansion.

Partee, who now resides in Kennesaw, has invited many of his friends from the art and wildlife worlds, including his British connection, Graham Browne to attend the Bainbridge opening reception,

He is eager for them all to meet his inner circle of Bainbridge friends at what is expected to be a gala affair from 5 to 8 p.m on Thursday, May12. It is free and open to the public.