CELINA-The Historic Clay County Courthouse will play host to a special screening of the documentary film “A Long Hard Streak” and an art exhibit of Billy Dean Anderson’s work here later this month.

The event made possible by the Tennessee Arts Commission will take place free to the public Saturday, January 25.

“We will screen “A Long Hard Streak” at 2:30 p.m., (and) after the film, owners of authentic Billy Dean Anderson artwork will share their paintings, drawings, and carvings with the audience,” organizers said.  “We encourage all art owners to come and participate, and would love to hear the oral history and story of each individual piece.

“This will be the only chance to see some of these privately-owned works of art in person.”

Anderson, who is the subject of the documentary to be shown at the event, was a prolific criminal and outsider artist who lived in a cave here in the Upper Cumberland for almost five years while on the run from the FBI.

The cave became his home, spiritual refuge, and art studio.

Anderson’s decades-spanning criminal career included multiple imprisonments, three shootouts with the law, three prison escapes, and culminated with an addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.

Prior to his escapades, Anderson was raised by his grandparents in nearby Pall Mall, TN.

As a boy he was involved with the church and on the path to becoming a preacher, but at a distinct point he took a drastic turn toward crime.  He was obsessively creative and deeply connected to nature, but had a violent, criminal streak.

The film to be screened at the courthouse confronts these two extremes, both explosive and spiritually redemptive, and explores the insular society he called home.

“Through oral accounts from family, friends, ex-convicts who served time with Billy, local law enforcement, as well as the FBI agent who led the manhunt for him, we see how a young man’s tumultuous relationship with the law expands into a broader story of community and loyalty,” movie director/producer and Anderson’s relative Scott Rabideau said on the documentary’s website longhardstreak.com.  “I was shocked to discover Billy Dean Anderson was a family member, but was even more compelled by his artwork.

“Billy painted a multitude of canvases in the cave and also kept a journal.  Along with his art, the journal entries allow us to look deeper, beyond his criminal past and into the core of who Billy really was.

“I couldn’t imagine living in a cave for this long—surviving, writing, and painting while the FBI was conducting a nationwide manhunt,” Rabideau continued.  “It was fascinating he chose to be creative at all, to use his artwork as a tool to communicate with friends and loved ones.”

Rabideau partnered with co-producer Bryan Stamp; executive producers Sean Penn, John Ira Palmer, and John Wildermuth of Projected Picture Works; and Grasshopper Film to bring the documentary to life.

“For me, the film is about the power of art to pull you out of your darkest moments, and I think it did just that for Billy,” Rabideau said.  “Our goal is to not only tell a human story of raw survival in unimaginable circumstances, but also use the film as a tool to show how art can be a healing force for people and their community.”

Besides area screenings like the one scheduled here, “A Long Hard Streak” will broadcast nationally on PBS during National Arts and Humanities Month this fall, and plans are also in the works for releases on popular streaming services.

“Billy’s story of survival and the transformative power of art will be shared with over 3 million viewers around the country,” Rabideau said of the PBS release of the incredible true story.  “Real stories, and documentary in particular, allows us to reexamine the past in all of its complexity and make deeper conclusions about things.

“You can look at the totality of Billy’s life and maybe, hopefully find some empathy for both ‘sides.’”

For more information about the documentary, visit longhardstreak.com, where the movie’s trailer can also be found for viewing.