Brenau University has unveiled its newest artwork on Green Street in Gainesville next to the university’s John W. Jacobs Business & Communication Building.
Tall, white letters spelling out “BRENAU” now sit in the small garden next to the building.
Gainesville businessman and Brenau Trustee Frank Norton Jr., who leads the board’s Facilities Committee, emphasized the piece is a continuation of Brenau’s improvements along Green Street.
“For some time, Brenau University and the Facilities Committee of its Board of Trustees have focused on strengthening our community presence on Green Street,” Norton said. “This iconic, interactive public art installation signifies Brenau’s commitment to Gainesville.”
The installment joins two other Brenau pieces– a golden tiger and a flame.
The bronze golden tiger, named Lucille represents Brenau’s mascot. The sculpture was created by Georgia artist Gregory Johnson, who has other works on Brenau’s campuses and at the Gainesville Renaissance. Brenau students named the tiger in honor of Lucile Townsend Pearce, wife of longtime Brenau President H.J. Pearce. Lucile is the largest bronze statue of a golden tiger in the world and was donated by the Bell brothers in 2013.
The sculpture will be sandblasted and refinished later this fall.
Luminary 830, a kinetic sculpture of a flame, was created by North Carolina–based sculptor Mike Roig and represents Brenau’s ongoing support of the arts and the luminary minds of the university’s students. Roig said he took his inspiration for the piece from Brenau’s motto, “as gold refined by fire.”
