Posted on Friday, September 15, 2023
Creating a work of art from a blank canvas serves as not only a hobby, but a form of meditation for Rick Poole ’73 who along with five of his friends will showcase unique pieces in a new exhibition entitled ‘Coming Home,’ which will run at Lamar Dodd Art Center through Homecoming weekend.
“When a piece really starts to come together, it can be one of the most satisfying accomplishments I do,” he said. “Painting takes me away from the stresses of daily life and into a spiritual flow.”
In addition to Poole, the exhibition will highlight artists Mary Hamby Hall '73, Charles Robinson '72, Becky K. Spencer '73, Mary May Witte '71 and Brenda Hinton.
“What I see from these artists is an unspoken commitment of passion, discipline, and study that reflects an incredible impressive level of craft,” Poole said.
Witte explained what she gets out of doing the work she loves.
“Creating art feeds the hunger I have for ‘making’ something that I have had all my life,” she said.
The exhibition features 81 works of art that include quilts, photography and paintings. Some of the pieces will be available for sale.
Poole said each artist highlights parts of their past that are inevitably woven into their work.
“Art is a personal expression of the artist, and hopefully every viewer that comes through the gallery will find something that speaks to them,” he said.
Poole spoke about the impact LaGrange College has had on his life and career.
“Academically, it forced me to be a more thoughtful listener, which carried over into my professional work,” he said. “More importantly, the lifelong friends I’ve made through LC have proven to be invaluable. My LC experience played a large role in who I am.”
The college also had a major influence on Robinson.
“I spent four incredible years at LaGrange College and made friends that remain close to me to this day,” he said. “The LaGrange community that I know is family.”
An open house event will be held at Lamar Dodd on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campus and community members can also view the art center’s other collections currently on display.
One of the exhibits, which features alumni and retired LaGrange College professors, is entitled “Articulation: Alumni and Educators from the Permanent Collection.” It includes memorabilia from the college’s Art department and 15 works of art, which represent shared milestones and the beginnings of lifelong friendships that happen in the college experience. The artists in this exhibition are alumni Richard Aunspaugh ’63, Merri Herbert Lawrence ’77 and Sullins Benson ’77 and retired professors Ray Shead, Jim McLean, John Lawrence, Joan Wadleigh Curran and Marcia Langham Brown.
In the student gallery, there are 26 various media works from current students and alumni. The exhibit is entitled “Autumn Ray: An Exhibition by the Art Student League 2023.” Alumni Ryan Hancock ’98, Emma Higgens ’13, Yusan Ishimara ’07, Matt Jones ’98, Kate Smith ’13 and Katherine Tucker ’01 have pieces in the collection.
The center will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Move Your Bus: Get Started
Wednesday, Sept. 20
9:30 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Speed Learning Languages: Spanish
Thursday, Sept. 21
11:15 a.m., Lewis Library Multimedia Classroom
Kudzu cleanup
Thursday, Sept. 21
11:15 a.m., Park Creek
Meet the new Student Government president
Hear senior nursing major Leia Avery tell how working long hours last summer at the Childrens Hospital of Atlanta changed her life, how she got involved with the LC Student Government Association, and what advice she would offer new students.
Football
LaGrange lost to Berry in the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 9. The team travels to Virginia this weekend to take on Ferrum. The game starts at noon and can be streamed on the athletics website.
Women’s Soccer
The Panthers shut out Sweet Briar in a dominant 3-0 victory on Sunday, Sept. 10. The team then lost to Birmingham-Southern on Wednesday. On Saturday, Sept. 16 (tomorrow), the Panthers have their first in-conference match at Panther Field against Covenant. The game begins at 4 p.m. and it is a perfect way to spend some of your weekend cheering on the Panthers. On Tuesday, the team travels to play Oglethorpe. The match will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
LaGrange traveled to Kentucky last weekend to play two games. In the first matchup, LaGrange lost to Centre. In the second match, LC won against Spalding, coming away from the trip 1-1. The team fell to Oglethorpe on Wednesday, Sept. 13, and travels to Florida on Saturday, Sept. 16 (tomorrow) to play Pensacola Christian. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be available to stream on the athletics website.
Volleyball
The Panthers took the Eagles to five sets but lost 3-2 against Pensacola Christian. LaGrange will have a rematch against Oglethorpe on Saturday, Sept. 16 (tomorrow). The game is at noon in Richter Gym. On Monday, the Panthers travel to Belhaven for their first in-conference matchup. The game starts at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on the athletics website.
Cross Country
LaGrange competed in the Huntingdon Hawks Invitational on Friday, Sept. 8. Junior Santiago Vasquez led the men’s team with a 19:17.1. Junior Ema Turner came in first for the women’s team with a 28:03.8. The next time the teams will run is on Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Point Invitational. The race begins at 8:45 a.m.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, Sept. 15 – Men’s Tennis at Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Friday, Sept. 15 – Women’s Tennis at Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Cross Country at Point Invitational, 8:45 a.m., Valley, Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Men’s Tennis at Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Women’s Tennis at Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Volleyball (Home) vs. Oglethorpe, noon, Richter Gymnasium
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Football at Ferrum, 1 p.m., Ferrum, Virginia
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Covenant, 4 p.m., Panther Field
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Men’s Soccer at Pensacola Christian, 6 p.m., Pensacola, Florida
Monday, Sept. 18 – Volleyball at Belhaven, 7 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – Women’s Soccer at Oglethorpe, 7:30 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Thursday, Sept. 21 – Women’s Soccer at Agnes Scott, 3 p.m., Decatur, Georgia
Category: Arts and Culture, College, Community
Keywords: Homecoming, Alumni
