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.
