(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – May 19, 2017) - - - The Pryor Art Gallery Sculpture LIVE exhibit is now open and will run through August 9. An artists’ reception will be held on June 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. with Carolyn Boutwell demonstrating her method of sculpting.

Three artists of opposite artistic approaches and mediums will exhibit their works in the show – this will exemplify a juxtaposition rarely seen in sculpting. The gallery walls tell the stories of how the works were created by the artists using lost wax, bronze, fired clay and reclaimed wood. Also displayed on the walls are the artist statements explaining their vision and purpose for their work, which provides a deeper understanding for the viewer                                                            

“Sculpture can take on many forms, styles and mediums,” said Michele Wilkinson, Pryor Art Gallery curator and continuing education associate. “From piercing a paper cup to the magnificent Athena found in Nashville’s Parthenon. I wanted to show our community the juxtaposition of three very different kinds of sculptors and mediums. I think exhibiting these artists shows how broad the world of sculpture can be.”

Russell Faxon, a local artist and Bell Buckle resident, will be exhibiting his tree people themed bronze collection. Faxon traveled to Italy for a classical education where he had the opportunity to study alongside the masters in sculpture and learn the fine art of bronze casting.

Carolyn Boutwell, a Nashville-based figurative sculptor, creates pieces through classical realism. Boutwell’s fascination with the human form and her attention to expression and detail are hallmarks in her work. Her main objective is to saturate her work with feeling and expression that speaks to the viewer. Boutwell enjoys creating sculptures live and engaging with her viewers as a part of the creation experience.        

Shadow May, Chattanooga resident and award winning ceramic artist and sculptor, spent many years as a functional potter to break all the rules and push function to form. May is deliberate with balancing form, texture, color and different mediums in an exciting, new way.

The Pryor Art Gallery is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public through August 9 Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. For additional information, please contact Michele Wilkinson at 931.540.2883, or by email at mwilkinson2@ColumbiaState.edu, or visit http://www.ColumbiaState.edu/PryorGallery.

Photo Caption: Stephanie Pruitt – Following My Curiosity, by Carolyn Boutwell.


Photo Caption: Mother Earth, by Russell Faxon.


Photo Caption: Pearl Giver, by Russell Faxon.


Photo Caption: Shadow May sculpting.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee’s first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.

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