The Beverly & Sam Ross Gallery at Christian Brothers University (CBU) is proud to feature the artwork of Ellen McGowan beginning September 28 through November 1. The exhibit entitled “Nearing Ninety” will open with a reception on Friday, September 28 from
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the gallery on the lower level of Plough Memorial Library.
McGowan is returning to CBU for the first time since 2006. When asked what inspired this exhibit she said, “For over fifty years, I have observed, sketched, and modeled the people I see around me. Now that I am suddenly elderly, I love to see people my age still vital and enjoying life. This, therefore, is the focus of my “Nearing Ninety” exhibition here in the Beverly and Sam Ross Gallery.”
McGowan, born in Memphis in 1924, spent most of her childhood with her musician mother in Chicago where she took drawing classes at the Art Institute. She earned a M.A. in Fine Arts at the University of Memphis and continued her studies at the Memphis College of Art, as well as with renowned figural sculptor Bruno Lucchesi. In addition, McGowan taught music and art for many years in public schools. The recipient of several awards for her work, McGowan has exhibited widely both regionally and nationally.
Her work has entered into numerous private collections (including those of Ned McWherter, Bette Midler, Alex Haley, and Lee Trevino), corporate collections, and public collections (including University of Memphis, the Alex Haley Museum, the Paul Meeks Library at University of Tennessee Martin, and the West Clinic Wings Foundation in Memphis). McGowan is the subject of the Ellen Fossey McGowan Collection at Christian Brothers University.
Hours at the Beverly & Sam Ross Gallery are: Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, CLOSED; and Sunday, 1:00-11:00 p.m. Hours may vary due to university schedules. For additional information, call (901) 321-3243 or visit the website.
