By Julie Lindsay Contributing Writer
How to become immortal at the Murphy Art Center
Murphy – Part of the beauty of art is that it often outlives its creator. Paintings, sculpture, photographs and the like become part of our legacy, long after we have shuffled off this mortal coil.
As the Italian artist Giorgio DeChirico observed: “To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits.”
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No doubt this was in the mind of Gwen Hathaway, who recently approached the Murphy Art Center with the artwork of her late husband, Roger Hathaway. Roger was an avid photographer who donated his time as well as his significant talents alongside other members of the Valley River Arts Guild. By all accounts, Roger was also a guild member who went the extra mile, volunteering to clean the gallery windows inside and out every month – quite a commitment and no easy task.
When the former U.S. Marine wasn’t scrubbing the public face of the guild, he created beautiful photography. Many sold within the gallery’s walls and, after his passing, others were preserved lovingly by his family.
That was until last month, when Gwen decided to follow in her husband’s altruistic footsteps and kindly donate his artworks to the MAC.
Debra Vanderlaan, president of the guild, said she “got chills down her spine” as she sifted through Roger’s work. The only photograph Roger had taken of downtown Murphy was a gorgeous shot of then Macon bank. That bank was destined to become Entegra Bank and ultimately the new home of the MAC.
When Roger took the photograph of the building, little did he know that many years later, his art would hang within its walls, at the new home of the guild. The collection includes some 60 small photo scenes mounted on wood blocks. One hundred percent of the proceeds from their sale will go to benefit the gallery.
MAC officials thank Gwen for her kind donation. She also made a generous donation to the MAC’s Legacy Program, which earned her a gold plaque displayed proudly on the Legacy Donors board, dedicated to her late husband and his military service.
You may or not be an artist yourself, but you can still become a living legend. If you are so inspired, consider making your own donation to the Legacy Program. You can become an integral part of Murphy’s meteoric rise as a landmark art lovers destination.