UNG Theatre Department receives donation of bronze sculptures

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Theater Department recently received a donation of two large bronze sculptures by renowned artist Richard MacDonald from Dr. James and Suzanne Cannon.

Their son Alex, a lawyer, is an alumnus of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA), and performed in a number of productions, which gave the Cannons the perfect opportunity to show their appreciation for the organization.

The Cannons first saw the sculptures at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and later bought them from MacDonald's studio. They had originally considered selling them, but it was difficult because of the small and specialized market and the amount of space that was required to house them. As a result, the Cannons approached UNG to serve as a new home for the sculptures.

Suzanne Cannon said they couldn't think of a better place for the sculptures than with Jim Hammond, GTA director.

"The gift of these two beautiful, inspiring works of art will be lovingly appreciated by everyone who passes through the doors of the Ed Cabell Theatre on the UNG Gainesville Campus. We are so thankful for the generosity of Jim and Suzanne Cannon," Hammond said.

The sculptures are valued at $116,000 and are part of a series MacDonald created to honor the performing arts.

"What's so unique about these pieces is that they look as if they are interacting," Suzanne Cannon said. "We have enjoyed these statues so much, and we want to share them with others so that they can do the same."

MacDonald was born in 1946 in Pasadena, California where he received a scholarship to study at the Art Center College of Design.

He has an internationally famous piece titled "The Flair" – a 26-foot bronze statue in Atlanta at the International Plaza of the Georgia World Congress Center Complex – dedicated to athletes for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

As a sculptor and advocate of the neo-figurative movement, MacDonald is known for capturing the impressions of live models – performers and dancers – while they are in movement. His work has been shown in hundreds of solo and group exhibitions including the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the Boston Museum at Chesterwood.