The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
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for Georgia Southwestern campus
By LINDA ADAMS
(From the November 15, 2006 issue)
At the center of the new Centennial Plaza at Georgia Southwestern State University there is a stainless steel and glass sculpture that was created by an artist from Ellaville. The sculpture is at the center of a water fountain, surrounded by a circular bench.
A description might read: Molded glass forms in the shape of books, stacked on a shelf in the form of an incomplete circle, supported by three triangular legs. But the description does little to convey the meaning of the piece. Only the artist himself is able to point out the various connections of the design to the space, to the university, and to himself.
Chuck Wells, professor of art at the university, was commissioned to do the work.
Chuck Wells and his creation.
On one end of the circular bookshelf is the date 1906, etched in a traditional, old fashioned font. The other end of the incomplete circle is this year’s numbers, in a modern styled font. The leg under the 1906 end is positioned staunchly close to the end of the shelf, while the leg under 2006 is set back a good distance from the end of the shelf.
“The past is certain, established, and solid, while the present and
The glass books were cast in different sizes, and have the subjects that the university teaches etched on the spines. The water fountain rains over the books, sparkling on the glass shapes. Jets in the circular pool sent the water around in a circular fashion.
The artist signed the piece in a way that reflects something important to him. There’s a heart etched on one of the books, tucked into the center of the shelf, not readily noticeable. Wells etched his signature, along with the names of his wife and children, inside the heart.