Shirley Ardell Mason lived the last two decades of her life quietly in Lexington, KY. But after she died in 1998, it became widely known that she had been the basis for the best-selling book (and TV movie) Sybil, which detailed a young woman’s battle with multiple personality disorder.

While living in Lexington, Shirley was a commercial artist, painting and running a successful art business out of her home on Henry Clay Boulevard. It wasn’t until after her death that a cache of paintings from the period when she was undergoing intensive psychiatric treatment was discovered in a basement closet of her house. The artwork discovered included nearly 100 paintings believed to have been created by her other personalities, though only one is signed as such. The artwork chronicles the journey of her years in therapy.

Shirley Mason’s paintings are housed at the White House Gallery in Lexington.

Program 609

Some favorite segments from recent programs, including a look at Louisville blues history, a profile of painter Shirley Mason, and performances by Akordeonam and the Walnut Street Blues Band. (#609)