Eight sculptures have been placed on the campus of the Hall County Government Center as a part of the County's Bicentennial celebrations.
"The County has launched its Bicentennial Sculpture Exhibition, which is a celebration of the County's art and culture throughout its 200-year history," said Hall County Public Information Officer Katie Crumley.
Crumley said a request for proposal was issued last fall to solicit artists' submissions for the program.
"We received a number of high-quality submissions from very talented artists in our area," she said. "The top pieces were selected by a committee of local art experts, and they will remain on our grounds through the end of 2018."
Jane Taylor's piece titled "Lady Liberty" is situated on the front lawn of the government center. She said her hope is that the art inspires people.
"Art has been around since the birth of mankind. It's how we express ourselves. It's a diary of our lives," Taylor said. "This community is growing leaps and bounds in so many ways, and I'm so happy to see art placed in public settings."
Two pieces created by artist Gregory Johnson, "Plume" and "Books Flying off the Shelf," are also a part of the sculpture exhibition.
"'Books Flying off the Shelf' provides a sense of humor element since books don't actually fly," Johnson said. "'Plume' is more nature-based as the shape itself can be interpreted by viewers in a number of different ways."
In addition to Taylor and Johnson's pieces, Jane Hemmer's "Red Tail," Scott Lacey's "Stairway to Heaven" and two pieces by Christ Rothermel, "Elysium" and "Vestige," are also gracing the grounds of the Hall County Government Center as a part of the exhibition.
Memorial Park Funeral Homes has donated a piece for display as a part of the Bicentennial Sculpture Exhibition. That sculpture directly ties the event to the County's historic founding.
"Jack Frost, president of Memorial Park Funeral Homes, had a statue commissioned of Lyman Hall, the county's namesake and a signer of the Declaration of Independence," said Crumley.
A $5,000 anonymous grant has been given to Hall County to aide in the purchase of public art, and at least one of the pieces in the exhibition will be purchased by the County for permanent placement on Hall County property.
The Hall County Bicentennial Sculpture Exhibition will run through the end of 2018. Pricing of the pieces is available upon request.
The Hall County Government Center is located at 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville.