Brian Danson, an artist from The Artisans Village Guild in Eatonton, has contributed a metal sculpture as part of “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists, Georgia’s State Art Collection,” a traveling exhibition from April 20 to May 29, at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) in rural Buckhead, near Madison.
Danson’s connection to Putnam County began in 2012, when his parents purchased a lake house on Lake Sinclair. What started as a family vacation retreat eventually became home. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Danson spent six years in Fort Lauderdale before returning to Eatonton in 2021 to pursue art full-time.
“What’s been especially exciting is seeing Eatonton’s arts community grow,” Danson said. “I couldn’t have picked a better time to be here.”
Inspired by his time at UGA, “Stand Strawng,” Danson’s welded sculpture of a larger-than-life bulldog, is finished with a warm, reddish-brown patina and embodies a strong, grounded presence and resilience.
“I always knew a bulldog would find its way into my work,” he said. “With ‘Stand Strawng,’ I wanted to create something larger than life; a powerful, grounded presence that carries a ‘won’t back down’ energy. That mindset reflects both how I approach my art and the spirit of Georgia football.”
The six-week exhibition features 20 works from the State Art Collection alongside works by local and regional artists. Usually, admission to STMA is $10; however, for the duration of the state exhibition. Admission to the entire museum is free and open to the public, offering visitors a chance to experience a broad range of contemporary work alongside Steffen Thomas's.
“Reimagine” spans a range of media, including painting, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture, photography, traditional arts, jewelry, and works on paper. Presented by the Georgia Council for the Arts, the exhibit will travel to 10 locations statewide through July, with each host community welcoming it for a limited residency.
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (4200 Bethany Road, Buckhead) is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact STMA at steffenthomas.org or 706-342-7557 for information or directions.