ARTHUR, Ill. (WCIA) — About 600 people were in the Rotunda for Monday’s presidential inauguration in the nation’s capitol. Among them, could have been Jerry Winters, a world-renowned artist and performer who has made Douglas County his home.

The 83-year-old still spends part of every day singing, painting and running his art gallery on Arthur’s Main Street. He has a contagious sense of humor and a long resume of performances over the years.

“My whole world was spent in a theater,” Winters said. “Having spent 10 months out of almost every year since I was very young on the road.”

He traveled worldwide and toured with various groups such as the USO where he performed for about 10 years.

“I worked back on Reagan’s campaign and I did perform at his Governorship when he won the Governorship in Sacramento,” the artist explained.

But, when an opportunity came knocking to be in the audience for President Trump’s inauguration this year, he couldn’t get himself to break out the suitcase once again.

“I’ll be there in spirit, physically I don’t know that I’m going to get on planes again,” he said. “But my heart will be there, and my prayers will be there.”

It all started over the summer when a couple he had never met stopped into his gallery. Turns out, the husband was formerly a Chaplin for the Senate and House in Washington.

“Then he told me about his involvement with the Bible Museum in Washington. Wanted to know if I could come back,” Winters explained.

Even though Winters isn’t making the trip this time, some congressional recognition came right to him. This past summer, he was getting ready for Arthur’s Fourth of July parade when he was surprised.

An SUV pulled up, and someone jumped out with a camera. He quickly realized it was Congresswoman Mary Miller.

She awarded him a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” for his contribution to the arts.

“I was just overwhelmed,” Winters reflected.

He has dedicated his entire life to the performing arts but picked up a passion for painting while backstage. Now, he tries to sprinkle in and show off his respect for the nation in many pieces.

“I started with selling just my Americana paintings, lots of American flags, little people running around little villages,” he described.

Now, he has combined his love for America, dedication to the troops, and passion for the arts all within his gallery. You’ll find socks with a much deeper meaning when you peek behind his rows of paintings.

The money from each pair goes to the local VA, Wounded Warrior Project, Habitat for Humanity houses and Paralyzed Veterans for America. Over the years, he has donated seven motorized wheelchairs just through the money raised.

Even though he has settled down in Central Illinois, he is making sure to spread his artistic talents and giving spirit to anyone around the world.

“I love Arthur, I’m never leaving it,” Winters said with a smile.

His gallery is located at 134 South Vine Street in Arthur. It’s open six days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.