About a month from now, early drawings of dream homes, scribbled notes from a creative genius and books of architectural greats will be on display at the Tryon Fine Arts Center to offer a glimpse into the life and work of Tryon architect Holland Brady.

“We just want to make this a celebration of not just Holland, but Tryon too,” said Brady’s partner Dean Trakas. “Holland kind of is Tryon – he’s so attached to the history of this town and had so many great stories to tell.”

Now, Trakas, along with Brady’s family and close friends, want to hear the stories others have to tell about him.

Trakas, area artists Pat Ferrullo and Julie McIntyre are collaborating on an exhibit of Brady’s work to open on Aug. 15 at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. They will begin to set things up on Aug. 12, with a soft opening Aug. 15 and the reception Aug. 16. The show will run through Labor Day.

“As soon as we knew that he had a health problem, a light bulb went off, but he deserved this a long time ago,” Trakas said.

Brady died June 20, 2013, one day short of his 88th birthday.

He was born June 21, l925 at the old St. Luke’s Hospital over the present site of Owen’s Pharmacy in Tryon. He was a graduate of Tryon High School.

Brady served in World War II as a medic in France, Germany and Belgium.

After the war, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in architecture.  Brady eventually settled back in Tryon in l951, where he worked under architect Shannon Meriwether, eventually taking over the firm. Holland continued working for more than 60 years designing homes, commercial buildings and churches.