An exhibition celebrating Bob Owens, North Georgia College's influential art professor and department founder. Archival sketchbooks, prints, drawings, pottery, and ceramic sculptures not previously shown will be on display, as well as first-hand accounts of Owens' impact as an art educator. Works by alumni impacted by Owens’ mentorship will also be featured. Research for this exhibition is being conducted by students completing the Spring 2026 course ART 4590 Exhibition Practicum.
As we launch this landmark exhibition series, we are excited to invite UNG alumni and former students of Bob Owens to take part in Bob Owens: A Legacy Beyond Measure by contributing one artwork to the show. Participants are also warmly encouraged to share personal memories of their mentor through an oral history interview, helping to preserve and celebrate the impact Professor Owens made on generations of artists. Details are listed below.
Robert “Bob” Owens (1939 – 2004) was a distinguished Georgia potter, sculptor, and educator, renowned for his significant contributions to the arts. Born in Georgia, Owens earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Georgia. In 1965, he joined North Georgia College as an art instructor and founded the Fine Arts Department, serving as its chair until 1997. He was a master potter and sculptor, with his works highly valued by collectors. He created significant pieces for UNG, including the bronze eagle on the “Freedom’s Vigil” monument, the official bronze UNG Mace, and the Presidential Medallion. Beyond academia, Owens maintained an active pottery studio, Owens Pottery, Inc., and was involved in various art organizations, including serving as President of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. His legacy continues to influence the arts community in Georgia and beyond.
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Bob Owens
A Legacy Beyond Measure
Participating Guest Artists
Alumni and Friends of Bob Owens
Brad Abernathy
Art Teacher, White County High School
Melinda Kay Ray Amsler
Alumna and Independent Artist
Nancy Jane Andrews, '85
Alumna and independent artist
Win Crannell
Retired Professor of Art, UNG
Sarah Decker
Alumna and 2024 Recipient of the Bob Owens Scholarship
Emily DeFoor
Alumna and Director of the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
Paul Dunlap, '01
Alumnus and Professor of Photography, UNG
Judy Bynum George, '94
Alumna and independent artist
Kathleen Gillespie-Jackson, '88
Alumna, Retired Visual Arts Educator and Arts Administrator,
Founder of the Bob Owens Art Scholarship, and independent artist
Fox Gradin, '00
Alumna, independent artist and owner of Celestial Studios
Jennifer Graff
Professor of Ceramics and Department Head of Visual Arts, UNG
Marea Haslett, '96
Alumna and Art Teacher at Forsyth Central High School
Karin Husty
Alumna and independent artist
Jo-Marie Karst, '00
Alumna, retired faculty of UNG, and independent artist
Alex Kraft
Professor of Ceramics and Bob Owens Chair of Pottery and Sculpture, UNG
Ester Lipscomb, '99
Alumna and ceramics teacher at the Bascom Center for the Visual Arts
Michael Marling de Cuellar
Professor Emeritus, UNG, and independent artist
Carol Gaines Maxwell, '83
Alumna and retired art teacher
Kim Meisen, '98
Alumna and Realtor
Judy Nollner, '76
Alumna and retired Art Teacher
Benjamin Owens
Son of Bob Owens and co-founder of Open Way Learning
Noelle Petersen, '99
Alumna and Art Teacher at Riverwood International Charter School
Nik Pett
B.F.A. Visual Arts major, UNG
Billy Roper
Independent Artist and friend of Bob Owens
Jeannie Askew Sandoval, '93
Alumna and retired Art Teacher
Clayton Santiago, '99
Alumnus and independent artist
Tommye McClure Scanlin
Alumna and Professor Emerita, UNG
Vicki Turcotte
Alumna and independent artist
Gretchen Vanderbunt, '93
Alumna and independent artist
Priscilla Wilson
Independent artist and friend of Bob Owens
UNG Visual Arts
Ceramic students and recent alumni mentored by
Professor Alex Kraft
Bob Owens Chair of Pottery and Sculpture
Lucy Basso
Junior, B.A. Studio Art major
Sara Blair
Alumna, Spring 2025, B.F.A. Visual Arts
Jennie Bossman
Alumna, Spring 2025, B.F.A. Visual Arts
Blake Carter
Senior, B.F.A. Visual Arts major
Miriam Kim
Senior, B.F.A. Visual Arts major
Ansley King
Senior, B.F.A. Visual Arts major
Genevieve Lang
Sophomore, B.S. Art Education major
Madelyne McDaniel
Junior, B.A. Studio Art; Art History Minor
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Collections Represented
UNG Permanent Collection
with gifts generously donated by
Benjamin Owens
The Family of Bob Owens
Thomas and Tommye Scanlin
Alex Kraft
Kathleen Gillespie-Jackson
James and Frances Mathis
Frank and Mary Perry
Lenders to the Exhibition
Joseph Hall
Thomas and Tommye Scanlin
Katheleen Gillespie-Jackson
University of North Georgia
***
Curatorial, Research,
Preparation, and Installation Team
Dr. Ana Pozzi Harris
Principal Lecturer of Art History
Lucy Basso
B.A. Studio Art major
Macy Langford
B.A. Studio Art major
Hannah North
B.A. Studio Art major
Julia Wells
B.A. Digital Arts major
Madelyne McDaniel
B.A. Studio Art major
Stevie Dinsmore
B.A. Graphic Design major
Brody Howell
B.A. Digital Arts major
Research and Documentation Consultants
Alex Kraft
Professor and Bob Owens Chair of Ceramics and Sculpture
Kathleen Gillespie-Jackson
Alumna, Retired Visual Arts Educator and Arts Administrator,
Founder of the Bob Owens Art Scholarship, and independent artist
Benjamin Owens
Son of Bob Owens and donor
Tommye McClure Scanlin
Alumna, Professor Emerita, and donor
Victoria Cooke
Director of UNG Art Galleries and UNG Permanent Collection
Terri Bell
Digital Archivist and Copyright Coordinator, UNG Archives
Technical Collaborators
Cheryl Lea
Administrative Assistant, Visual Arts
Daniel Kornrumpf
Senior Lecturer of Drawing and Painting
Paul Dunlap
Professor of Photography
JinYoung Lin
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
Tiffany Prater
Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Avery Simms
B.F.A. Visual Arts Major and Student Worker
Nicolas Harris
Engineering Student, Kennesaw State University
Cristian Harris
Professor of Political Science
Joe Cubera
UNG Facilities
Exhibition Steering Committee
Josie Toney
Director of Development, College of Arts and Letters
Ana Pozzi Harris
Alex Kraft
External Committee Members
Meagan Garris
Assistant Director of Donor Relations
Tommye McClure Scanlin
Kathleen Gillespie-Jackson
The realization of this exhibition is funded by
the Department of Visual Arts, University of North Georgia.
Thank you to the UNG Library and Technology Center
for generously facilitating the exhibition space.
THANK YOU!
