Exhibition to feature Visual Arts founders

The Department of Visual Arts at the University of North Georgia (UNG) began, like most pieces of art, with an idea and was conceptualized over a period of time, thanks to three individuals whose passion for art continues through today's students.

These visionaries will be recognized through "The Founders," a three-year exhibition series in the Library Technology Center art galleries at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Each exhibition runs for six months and includes four special events designed to celebrate the artists.

The series begins with "Bob Owens — A Legacy Beyond Measure" from March 19 to Sept. 17 of this year. Owens, who died in 2004, is considered the founder of the department and an influential professor of art. In addition to his pieces, works by alumni who were influenced by Owens will be included, for a total of 82 pieces. Local artist Billy Roper will also be in the show, with a painting to honor Owens.

Owens joined UNG in 1965 and founded what was then the Fine Arts Department in 1971. He served as its chair until 1997. In addition to his academic contributions to the institution, his impact can be seen today through the significant pieces he crafted for the university, including the bronze eagle on the "Freedom’s Vigil" monument, the official bronze UNG Mace and the Presidential Medallion.

In high school, Julia Wells wanted a degree in art and visited UNG. She has been thrilled about her decision to enroll.

"It offered everything I wanted, so I decided to come here. It’s been a wonderful experience," she said.

Now a junior, Wells jumped at the opportunity to enroll in the class of Dr. Ana Pozzi, who is responsible for the exhibition. The experience she gained crating "Home/Casa: a celebration of multiple belonging" art exhibition has been helpful this time, too.

Research into Owens' work and life has been rewarding for the Buford, Georgia, resident.

"It's a great opportunity to be able to do this. I had no idea how impactful he was on our art departments and influential on so many people's lives, and it feels like a real honor to be able to put this together for him and his legacy," Wells said. "I am very grateful for everything he did for the university. In creating this department, he created opportunities for us. It's wonderful."

Wells is pursuing a degree in digital arts.

"Win Crannell — A Life in Drawing" is the second in the series and traces his journey as both teacher and maker. His exhibition opens March 27, 2027, and includes a community tour led by Crannell, an alumni and student panel and an auction of his lithographs to fund a drawing scholarship in his name.

The final exhibition celebrates Tommye McClure Scanlin, leading tapestry artist and influential educator. It opens March 28, 2028, and also includes a community tour, an alumni and student panel and concludes with an auction or sale with proceeds going to a scholarship for students focusing on fiber arts.

Collectively referred to as "The Founders," Owens, Crannell and Scanlin were instrumental in creating a department that offers a degree in visual arts with six different areas of concentration: digital arts, drawing and painting, graphic design, photography, printmaking and paper arts, and sculpture and ceramics. Notable alumni include Brittany Fanning.

Student projects have added color and beauty through murals on the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, health facilities, and the office of The Dahlonega Nugget as examples of the impact the founders have made over time. Additionally, a mural and welded sculpture can be seen at Midtown Villages at Melrose in Gainesville. Most recently, Kayleigh Riker created a live event painting of the dedication of Livingston Plaza on the Dahlonega Campus.

In addition to "The Founders," several other events are slated for this spring, including Ken Watkins and Josie Toney: Drawing and Painting in 3D — Exploring Depth through Artistic Technique and Human Perception, Feb. 27, 10-11 a.m., Shott Auditorium, Dahlonega Campus.