As Georgia Southern University prepares to unveil the new Center for Art and Theatre at three events this weekend, bolts were tightened Thursday afternoon on the sculpture to permanently adorn the front of the new building. Funded by former Governor Carl Sanders to celebrate the wedding anniversary to his wife, Betty Foy Sanders, the work will stand as a monument to Mrs. Sanders' commitment to the fine arts in southeastern Georgia.
"Ascend" is a pair of interacting 20-foot high stainless steel sculptures designed and created by GSU's Professor of Sculpture, Marc Moulton. While creating the work, Moulton drew inspiration from native southern Georgia forms including the long-leafed pine, the magnolia and coastal ocean waves. In addition, "Ascend" incorporates the idea of the flight of an eagle, a symbol and mascot for Georgia Southern.
The Center is home to the new Black Box Theatre with seating for up to 150 and three exhibition galleries, including a permanent gallery for the Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Collection. The public is invited to an open house at the center, located behind Hendricks Hall and adjacent to the Fine Arts Building, from noon-2 p.m. on Sunday.
The Georgia Artists Collection, a gift that has been developed by Sanders since 1967, is a primary feature of the new venue and is located on the main floor. An adjoining sculpture garden, the first on the Georgia Southern campus, offers a fourth exhibition space for three-dimensional works of art.
Patricia Carter, chair of the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art said, “The galleries will be open to the public, allowing more people the opportunity to see the students’ work, the faculty’s expertise, and a variety of exhibitions that will be possible as we host visiting artists from around the world.”
The inaugural exhibition in the center’s Contemporary Gallery is "Romancing the Stones," featuring recent work by Sanders, an arts advocate, a Statesboro native and namesake of Georgia Southern’s visual arts program. Sanders is a renowned artist who uses elements of the earth in her paintings: minerals, rocks, stones and geodes, adding depth and texture She served seven years on the board of the Georgia Council of the Arts and Humanities and received Georgia Southern’s first doctorate in fine arts in 1997. The university renamed its fine arts department in her honor in 1999.
The university gallery features "Sacred Journey," the work of Betty Foy Botts, daughter of Betty Foy Sanders and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. Botts expresses her love of color and texture with bold brush strokes that depict subject matter found in nature. Through her artistic talents, Botts has transposed her faith onto canvas as a reflection of her spirituality.
Black Box Theatre
“The new Black Box Theatre is a unique addition to our region and will be a simple and unadorned performance space that places an intimate focus on the playwright’s story and the actors’ interpretation,” said Pam Bourland-Davis, chair of the Communication Arts program.
The first production is William Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, “King Lear,” which opens tonight and runs through March 8. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. except for tonight's inaugural performance, which begins at 8 p.m. King Lear is portrayed by Georgia Southern professor emeritus Mical Whitaker, an actor and director who is regionally recognized for his work in presenting “Blessed Assurance,” “Black Nativity” and many other local productions.
Tickets for “King Lear” along with tickets for all future performances at the Black Box Theatre are available by contacting the Theatre’s Box Office at 912-681-5379.
"Ascend" is a pair of interacting 20-foot high stainless steel sculptures designed and created by GSU's Professor of Sculpture, Marc Moulton. While creating the work, Moulton drew inspiration from native southern Georgia forms including the long-leafed pine, the magnolia and coastal ocean waves. In addition, "Ascend" incorporates the idea of the flight of an eagle, a symbol and mascot for Georgia Southern.
The Center is home to the new Black Box Theatre with seating for up to 150 and three exhibition galleries, including a permanent gallery for the Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Collection. The public is invited to an open house at the center, located behind Hendricks Hall and adjacent to the Fine Arts Building, from noon-2 p.m. on Sunday.
The Georgia Artists Collection, a gift that has been developed by Sanders since 1967, is a primary feature of the new venue and is located on the main floor. An adjoining sculpture garden, the first on the Georgia Southern campus, offers a fourth exhibition space for three-dimensional works of art.
Patricia Carter, chair of the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art said, “The galleries will be open to the public, allowing more people the opportunity to see the students’ work, the faculty’s expertise, and a variety of exhibitions that will be possible as we host visiting artists from around the world.”
The inaugural exhibition in the center’s Contemporary Gallery is "Romancing the Stones," featuring recent work by Sanders, an arts advocate, a Statesboro native and namesake of Georgia Southern’s visual arts program. Sanders is a renowned artist who uses elements of the earth in her paintings: minerals, rocks, stones and geodes, adding depth and texture She served seven years on the board of the Georgia Council of the Arts and Humanities and received Georgia Southern’s first doctorate in fine arts in 1997. The university renamed its fine arts department in her honor in 1999.
The university gallery features "Sacred Journey," the work of Betty Foy Botts, daughter of Betty Foy Sanders and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. Botts expresses her love of color and texture with bold brush strokes that depict subject matter found in nature. Through her artistic talents, Botts has transposed her faith onto canvas as a reflection of her spirituality.
Black Box Theatre
“The new Black Box Theatre is a unique addition to our region and will be a simple and unadorned performance space that places an intimate focus on the playwright’s story and the actors’ interpretation,” said Pam Bourland-Davis, chair of the Communication Arts program.
The first production is William Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, “King Lear,” which opens tonight and runs through March 8. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. except for tonight's inaugural performance, which begins at 8 p.m. King Lear is portrayed by Georgia Southern professor emeritus Mical Whitaker, an actor and director who is regionally recognized for his work in presenting “Blessed Assurance,” “Black Nativity” and many other local productions.
Tickets for “King Lear” along with tickets for all future performances at the Black Box Theatre are available by contacting the Theatre’s Box Office at 912-681-5379.