Friends of the UNCG Libraries

Luther Hodges, Jr. has donated a painting to the University Libraries which will be displayed in the Hodges Reading Room.  The painting is "Bassin Petrolier (Oil Fields)" by the French painter Arthur Van Hecke (1924-2003).  It replaces a painting by Maud Gatewood which has been returned to the Weatherspoon Art Museum, from which it was on long-term loan. Mr. Hodges, along with his sister Betsy Bernard, provided funding to name the Martha Blakeney Hodges Reading Room after their mother, the former First Lady of North Carolina and the first chairperson of the Friends of the UNCG Libraries.

Portrait of Randall Jarrell, by Betty Watson The University Libraries at UNC Greensboro contain art and artifacts in their collections that create a pleasing visual space for visitors, make a visit a worthwhile experience, and stimulate and inspire the creative and scholarly pursuits for which academic libraries are known.  A catalog of the art collection may be found in the Art in the University Libraries LibGuide . Jackson Library opened in 1950 and was named a National Literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries USA in 2002.  An Art Committee consisting of members of the University Libraries faculty and staff maintains and cares for the collection and decides where individual pieces will hang.   The University Libraries are proud to be among those campus groups which promote both the literary and visual arts on a UNCG campus which is known for its contribution to the arts throughout the region and the nation.

Head of Special Collection and University Archives Keith Gorman (far right) and Director of Development Linda Burr (second from left) hosted a group of docents from the North Carolina Museum of Art in early March.  Docents facilitate rich conversations about the Museum’s collection and exhibitions with tour groups and visitors of all ages and interests. While in the Library, the docents enjoyed seeing materials from the special collections relating to the book arts, illustration and illumination. The group also visited the Weatherspoon Art Museum .