When master storyteller Angus McLeod put out a call for firsthand accounts of life in Richmond Hill from 1970 to 2000, a well-crafted and detailed story mysteriously arrived at the History Museum. The author fondly reminisced about Minor’s Store, once a beloved community gathering place before closing its doors in 2002. The story was signed by Cletus Boatright, Esq. But in a town where everyone seemed to know everyone—especially from that era—no one had ever heard of Cletus.

A few years later, Arts on the Coast was preparing to open its Blue Show at the gallery when a box unexpectedly appeared on the porch. Attached to the box was a $45 cash entry fee, and inside, a striking photograph titled Blue Fiasco, and a letter requesting that the piece be delivered to Angus after the show. The artist? None other than Cletus Boatright, Esq. The photograph, a still life in various shades of blue, was marked “priceless.” As the artwork took its place on the gallery wall, speculation began.

The mystery deepened at our portrait-themed show. This time, Cletus submitted a playful homage to Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self-Portrait, offering the first possible glimpse of the elusive artist. The piece titled Portrait of Anonymity depicted a figure clad in crisp overalls, a straw hat, gloves, and a crudely drawn flat face complete with a wink and a grin. A string of numbers embedded in the piece was later decoded to reveal the phrase “y’all know Cletus.” But did we?

Local artist and proud owner of the portrait, Jim Leahy, examined the work closely. “Brand new overalls and canvas aren’t cheap—he’s got extra money. The fishing and hunting gear are not well worn. These are distractions. And real bird hunters don’t buy ammo packs of ten. He sits on buckets a lot. By the pad under his rear, another subtle clue stood out—a book titled Painting the Effects of Weather. Could Cletus be a landscape artist by trade?

Then came the pizza.

At one of our quarterly meetings, a surprise delivery arrived—courtesy of Cletus. Inside the pizza box was a note instructing us to check the yellow 1929 Model A Coupe outside. Another submission for our Black-and-White Show, entitled White, Black, and Read All Over, the piece featured familiar elements: cinder blocks, a five-gallon bucket, large worn paintbrushes, a straw hat, and that clever winking flat face. True to form, it included a coded message. Once decrypted with a Caesar Cipher, it read:

Cletus Boatright Bio

Gender Yes.

Height Taller than most, shorter than some.

Weight Can’t sit on the edge of a rowboat.

Education Just enough to be dangerous.

Preferred Pronoun Hey you.

Hobbies Enjoys cuddly puppies and long walks on the beach.

Biggest Challenge Moving the ladder while doing my artwork.

Cletus Loses Sleep Over Waffles and chicken—dietary confusion.

• Kids they’re here to replace us.

• That people don’t know my brain will fall out.

• How that Google guy learned so much.

• Another word for Thesaurus.

• My imaginary friend says I need a therapist.

• That a chicken can no longer cross the road without its motives being judged.

Cletus’ Words of Wisdom Ain’t no use cryin’ over spilt moonshine.

• Traffic in town is gettin’ like a herd of turtles.

• He got so much money he buys a new boat when he gets the other one wet.

• I’m not Buck, and he’s not me. (Of course that’s what I’d say if I were Buck).

The last line in the cypher suggested that Cletus had been in the room while we speculated as to who he was.

The piece was gifted to Arts on the Coast President Sarah Volker, with a note crediting her leadership in growing the local arts scene.

Perhaps my favorite Cletus creation is The Road to Happiness, delivered with a five-gallon bucket labeled Fish Bucket Wisdom and listed as “really priceless.” Here, Cletus is dressed in a seersucker suit and bow tie, still sporting his signature straw hat, and standing atop a tractor on a swampy path. True to his nature, every element carries meaning. The bucket features The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, and his message reads: “Cletus has enjoyed Richmond Hill for many decades. Many of you speak of Cletus regularly. Richmond Hill is the best place to start down the road to happiness.”

The piece and bucket now hang on the porch of Fish Tales, the restaurant owned by Butch and Sherri Broome. Cletus made sure to tell them their Shrimp and Grits are a favorite, and now it has Sherri watching when someone orders it. “I’d love to meet him personally, thank him, and match the person with the personality,” she says.

Cletus struck again at our Moulin Rouge-themed ArtNite, where he presented a comical self-portrait, Befuddled. Dressed once more in overalls and sitting atop his trusty bucket, he was depicted trying on women’s shoes and preparing to alter a dress with a chainsaw. A Moulin Rouge book sat upside down in his hands, his face reflecting wide-eyed shock. Was he hinting at a change in stature? A diet, perhaps? Once the exhibit comes down, this piece will go to muralist Chris Walker, whose sense of humor is sure to appreciate the joke.

Each new clue adds to the enigma. Cletus is meticulous—never exposing an inch of skin, always in gloves and a scarf. His artwork consistently finds its way to influential members of the community. He has an eye for design, color, and composition, along with a flair for storytelling. The “Esquire” in his signature suggests he may be an attorney. What’s certain is that he’s an avid supporter of the arts.

When asked what she’d say to Cletus given the chance, Sarah Volker responded, “I would thank him for his effort to reinforce the importance of creativity and fun combined. I would ask him to continue to keep his personage a secret because his anonymity is part of the presentation. It’s what makes his creation interactive art. The way he presents his work is theatrical. His cyphers reinforce the writers in our group. It’s the ‘whole ball of wax’ as far as Arts on the Coast’s umbrella philosophy of the arts goes.”

So, Cletus, if you’re reading this—thank you. Thank you for preserving the spirit of Richmond Hill and giving our arts community something truly special. We can’t wait to see what you dream up next!