September 2011

Art appreciation

You're invited to be one of the first to see the portrait painting of the Alumni House created by artist Bill Mangum '75, '83 MFA.

Last fall, the UNCG Alumni Association commissioned a watercolor painting of the Alumni House from Mangum. The painting celebrates the recent renovation of the Alumni House.

Mangum came to campus several times this spring creating “field studies” of the Alumni House from different angles. The angle ultimately chosen includes the entrance of the alumni walk in front of Foust Building as it approaches the Alumni House.

Naturally, the painting includes the azaleas so colorful on campus in the spring.

“I think it turned out quite well,” Mangum says. “It's lovely.”

The painting will be shown for the first time at the inaugural “Around the House” event Oct. 13. After a wine and cheese reception, Mangum will talk about his career as an artist and about the process he uses when working on a painting.

“Each painting of mine begins with a line drawing, called a cartoon,” he says. After the sketch is in place, he begins working on the most distant elements such as the sky and then moves into the center.

The finished work, approximately 20”x40”, will hang over the mantle in the Pecky Cypress Room in the Alumni House.

Those interested in having a reproduction of this painting in their home can purchase a signed, numbered limited edition lithograph for $250. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Alumni Association operational endowment fund. To register for the event or to order a lithograph, visit uncgevent2.info. You can also contact the Alumni Association at (336) 334-5696.