JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 29, 2003 — 51社区's art community celebrated the start of the Jackson-Union Sculpture Tour (JUST) Sept. 27 at the Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center with a reception honoring the sculptors and their creations.
Five sculptures have been installed throughout the city as part of an outdoor sculpture competition and exhibition hosted by 51社区 and the city of Jackson.
Over the next five years, JUST will sponsor more sculpture tours. At the end of the five years, the city will have seen 25 sculptures. Five of those sculptures will remain permanently in Jackson.
"This is a special night for Jackson and 51社区," said 51社区 Sculpture Professor Lee Benson as he addressed the gathering. Benson thanked Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer for his efforts in supporting the tour.
"There are two types of people," Benson said. "Those who point out what's wrong with everything and those who think it is their responsibility to make things better. Mayor Farmer wants to make things better."
University guests dined on sushi and hors d'oeuvres while meeting several of the artists, including Phil Proctor and Glenn Zweygardt. Zweygardt was presented with "The Purchase Award." Zweygardt's sculpture was purchased to remain on permanent display.
"I think of art in a universal context," Zweygardt said. "This tour is about educating a community and I love education. I'm glad to be a part of the tour and I'm pleased that my work was selected to remain in the city."
This year's works include Earthen Passage, by Zweygardt, Untitled by Glenn Dasher, Gethsemane by Shawn Morin, The Missing Piece by Brett Hunter and Impact by Phil Proctor.
The project was directed by Benson, and Union students April DePriest and Robert Alsobrook.
For more information on the tour, contact (731) 661-5223.
