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Rodin’s Portraits of a Lifetime Draws Large Crowds at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Rodin’s glorious seven-foot tall figure of Claude Lorrain currently reigns over the elegant small art gallery at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The largest bronze in the exhibition Rodin: Portraits of a Lifetime: Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections, it has been a crowd pleaser since the exhibition opened to the public on February 11 in the University’s David McCune International Art Gallery.

The exhibition includes many iconic Rodins, including Bust of Jean Baptiste Rodin (the artist’s father), Heroic Bust of Victor Hugo, Monumental Head of Balzac, Mask of the Man with the Broken Nose, Bust of Mrs. Russell, and The Creator, thought by many to be a self-portrait.

Gallery Director Silvana Foti beams about the exhibition. “We are a gallery that you wouldn’t think would be able to get a show like Rodin. This type of exhibit would usually be in a museum with a huge staff, with people trained to handle the art in a certain way. We have a small staff and recognize that this is a rare opportunity.”

Foti created a support team to help her bring Rodin to Fayetteville. A visiting crew of specialists helped uncrate the sculpture, install the pieces in the Gallery, and examine and record the physical condition of the works. A special Advisory Committee came together to raise community awareness of the show, recruit a corps of docents, schedule tours for groups from the local schools and assisted-living communities, and raise funds for special programs and events. By the time Cantor Foundation Executive Director and exhibition curator Judith Sobol showed up for the opening, tours were scheduled, docents were educated, invitations were mailed to small and large opening receptions, and Rodin: The Gates of Hell, Iris Cantor’s award-winning film on the 1979 casting of Rodin’s famous piece, was scheduled for showings on the College campus and in the city’s popular downtown art theater.

Publicity on the show went out statewide. It was featured in Fayetteville’s CityView Magazine, was on the cover of the four state artGuide, and was the lead-off story on North Carolina Pubic Television’s popular show about what’s happening in the Tar Heel State, North Carolina Weekend.
“I am wowed by the way this community stepped up to make this beautiful exhibition a success,” said Judith. “When Bernie and Iris Cantor said they wanted people all over America to see and appreciate Rodin’s work, this is what they had in mind.”

Photo at top: Opening reception for Rodin: Portraits of a Lifetime, Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections (photo Jason Canady).
Photos circling billboard, starting upper left: Gallery visitor Stanislav Belyakov with Bust of Victor Hugo (photo Carrie A. Kirkpatrick); McCune Gallery Director Silvana Foti and visitor from Vision Resource Center with The Creator (photo Daniel Cestero); Methodist University students discuss Monument to General Lynch (photo Jason Canady); Cantor Foundation Executive Director and Exhibition Curator Judith Sobol and Silvana Foti in front of Monument to Claude Lorrain (photo Doo Lee); Gallery Docent Lu Erwin and visitor from Vision Resource Center explore The Creator; Methodist University President Ben Hancock, Silvana Foti, and Debbie Hancock (photo Doo Lee); Mark Sternlicht, Chair of McCune Gallery Advisory Board (photo Doo Lee); Judith Sobol speaking about Monument to Claude Lorrain at exhibition opening reception (photo Carrie A. Kirkpatrick). (Doo Lee and Jason Canady photos: contributed photos Methodist University.)
Center: billboard announcing exhibition along major highway entering Fayetteville.