Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – If you think the renovated and expanded Griffith Fine Arts Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus is fantastic, just wait … it keeps getting better.
This fall, the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts will unveil its new permanent art collection, an exhibition that features selected works of art by current and former School of Art faculty and alumni, along with some special guest artists. The collection of artwork is designed to enhance the already spectacular visual experience inside and outside the Griffith Fine Arts Building.
An opening reception is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the second-floor lobby of Griffith Fine Arts Building, and will include the release of a booklet with descriptions of the works and creators’ biographies that can be referenced on self-guided tours of the building. The event will also serve to honor the artists, many of whom will be in attendance, to discuss their pieces selected for the showcase.
Before the reopening of the fine arts building last fall, Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, and a select committee of college employees implemented an idea to use the entire three-floor structure as a “gallery” that would showcase artwork just as interesting and as imaginative as the building’s architecture.
While the vision for the collection is that it will continue to expand, both in size and in terms of the artists represented, the committee agreed that the collection should start as a celebration of SFA-affiliated artists.
Early in fall 2023, an invitation was made to current and former SFA art faculty to solicit works to be considered for purchase. Utilizing project funds, the committee selected pieces from almost every artist who submitted, including artwork from a number of retired, or even deceased, faculty members. Retired art faculty member Gary Parker was contracted by the college to work as the collection preparator and installer, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the collection will be ready for its introduction to the greater public in time for the September event.
In addition to the works by SFA artists, two major sculptures were purchased as part of the project. Russ Connell, a Dallas-based sculptor, was contracted to create a new, large-scale exterior piece that now greets visitors who enter the building from Alumni Drive. A sculpture by renowned Caddo Nation artist Raven Halfmoon was purchased and resides prominently in the main lobby.
“I am so proud to be associated with this fantastic project,” Wurtz said. “The size and beauty of the collection transcends anything I was hoping for when we started, and I can’t wait for Sept. 12 to bring the public and the artists together in celebration of these beautiful pieces of art. This collection is a major addition to the Micky Elliott College of Fine Art’s public offerings, and further enhances SFA’s value to the greater community.”
For more information about the art collection, contact the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts dean’s office at (936) 468-2801.