Fred and Judy Slaughter
For decades, Fred and Judy Slaughter have quietly served the arts in our community with their innovative and creative inspirations as well as generous contributions.
Generous donors of the arts in the community, they are equally passionate about two areas — the arts and their community. Judy has served on the Barter Theatre Board of Directors for 20 years, and Fred has undertaken a number of arts projects as the behind-the-scenes visionary.
“I first became interested in the arts while in college. I remember hearing Robert Porterfield speak in assembly at Virginia Intermont. Even though my talents are in other directions, the arts stimulate me. I love music, dance, theater and the visual arts,” says Judy.
Fred got started in the arts at 11 with art lessons at Sullins College. He was the lead in his senior play in high school and says that was “the end of my performing arts career.” He has resumed his art lessons and painting — since retirement.
Judy and Fred first met at a tea dance at the country club, introduced by her sister-in-law. As Fred happened to be on a holiday break from his residency in Philadelphia, it was not until he finished and returned to Bristol that they dated for the next three years. They now celebrate 49 years of marriage, proud of their three children and three grandchildren.
Fred’s family has been in the area for generations. A medical school graduate of the University of Tennessee, his long ophthalmology career and philanthropic ventures also benefited from his early university business studies. Judy studied home economics at Virginia Intermont and then elementary education at ETSU, becoming a Sullivan County school teacher and a teacher for the homebound for the city of Bristol. They love the lake and hiking the trails of the area.
They have spent the years enjoying architecture and gardens, traveling to see fine art of American Impressionists and purchasing works of artists. They have enjoyed attending plays, concerts, the opera, tours and more from their early days together, establishing themselves as patrons of the arts.
After being nominated to Barter Theatre’s Board of Directors 20 years ago, Judy carries the knowledge and continuity that has seen the theater grow and prosper. She and Fred have been generous donors and advocates. Upon her birthday, Fred made a donation to Barter Theatre at her request. The result was Charles Vess’ sculpture of Titania bearing Judy’s name.
As their children grew and became involved in Theatre Bristol, Fred and Judy also appreciated community theatre and supported its performances. Years later, Fred captured the legacy of founder Cathy DeCaterina by commissioning a book to document her work. He was heavily involved, and this effort also led to a children’s book and a plaque in her honor.
Fred said in the introduction to this book about DeCaterina and the impact of live performance, “As a pre-teen, I was enchanted by my first viewing of a live theatrical production.Think of the more than 30,000 schoolchildren who saw her productions each year for many, many years. Sixty school districts from the states of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky were her audience.Some of them had to be ‘first timers. We will never know the impetus of that outreach.”
Fred also documented the history and restoration of the Paramount Center for the Arts on film, featuring interviews of community members who helped make it possible. He also encouraged and underwrote installing a sound system loop there, and at Barter Theatre, for the hearing impaired to enjoy the arts.
“I think the arts are important for our young people and really everyone. The arts give your creative self an opportunity to open up and breathe fresh air. It is a well-known fact that most artistic groups cannot support themselves on ticket sales. This is why we in the audience should help out,” Judy says.
Fred and Judy have supported the renovation of the Bristol Train Station, the creation of the Birthplace of Country Music, landscaping at the Bristol Public Library, and so much more.
Judy calls Fred an idea person, always thinking of projects, and not being afraid to fund them. Some of their projects include cleaning up a downtown creek and adding murals to downtown Bank Street.
Fred believes that well-designed landscaping is an art. That belief resulted in several project, such as the Norfolk Western and Southern Railroad planting at the Bristol Train Station and Little Creek behind the Chamber of Commerce. He’s working with Bristol to give pump stations a new look – LiveRoof and Live Wall – that feature blooming evergreen plants.
Strong yet humble advocates for the arts, Judy and Fred are focused on making impactful and beautiful contributions to the community, art projects that benefit the community, and generously and quietly putting their support behind these efforts for everyone to enjoy.
“It is gratifying to be voted in this prestigious group. However, I am sure there are many in our community who are more qualified than I,” Judy says. “I was surprised at the honor from ‘A! Magazine.’ I know that many others share their ideas and implement them. Bristol and the area have been good to my family, so it’s easy to share,” Fred says.
