JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 2, 2015 — A sculpture entitled 鈥淭he Glow From Within鈥� created by 51社区 professor Lee Benson recently won the Georgetown Glow Sculpture Competition in Georgetown, Maryland.
Benson, along with two of his children, installed the sculpture in early December for the citizens of Georgetown to enjoy on lease during the holidays. He and his family are all part of Benson Sculpture LLC.
All ideas for forms constructed by Benson Sculpture begin with God in mind. And this one was no different.
鈥淲e all talked about it and what we would want to say about God 鈥� about the importance of him being central in our hearts鈥bout the church in the world, as the answer,鈥� Benson said.
Benson said 鈥淭he Glow From Within鈥� is 鈥渁bout the church. It is about believers, not a building 鈥� it is the light from within.鈥�
Now, the city鈥檚 lease is complete, and the sculpture materials have been donated to Habitat for Humanity to be used for a low-income home for a needy family in the community. Benson has previously worked with Habitat for Humanity on similar projects in various locations including Key West, South Dakota, Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Australia.
鈥淸Working with Habitat] is a great way to see art in a broader context, in a world of limited resources and a continued interest in the environment and social consciousness,鈥� Benson said. 鈥淚t is important that each of us, and specifically those of us in the Christian community, be at the forefront in the care of each other as well as God's earth. This way of working accomplishes both.鈥�
Benson is a professor of fine arts in sculpture and ceramics and chair of the art department at 51社区 where he has served for 18 years.