The Founders Exhibition Series

The Founders is a multi-year exhibition series presented by the University of North Georgia that honors the artists and educators who established the foundation of UNG’s Fine Arts Department. Launching in 2026 and continuing through 2028, the series highlights the enduring creative and pedagogical legacies of three influential faculty members: Bob Owens, Win Crannell, and Tommye McClure Scanlin.

Each annual exhibition centers on one founder’s work and pairs it with artwork by former students, offering a powerful view of how teaching, mentorship, and artistic practice extend across generations. Organized by current Visual Arts faculty in collaboration with students, the series reflects UNG’s ongoing commitment to creative scholarship, mentorship, and community engagement.

Exhibitions will be hosted in the Library and Technology Center Art Galleries on the UNG Dahlonega campus. Each year’s program will include four public events—such as talks, receptions, and educational programs—designed to connect audiences with the artists, ideas, and history that continue to shape visual arts at UNG.