Mangum Sculpture at Chavis Library

This sculpture, "Lamp of Learning," is mounted in front of the Vance Chavis Branch of the Greensboro Public Library. William Goodson Mangum is the sculptor. The work was commissioned in 1968 by Dunning Industries and the Centennial Decade Advisory Committee of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. It is a tribute to the five institutions of higher education in Greensboro (University of North Carolina at Greensboro; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Bennett College; Greensboro College; and Guilford College). 

There are (at least) two artists in this part of North Carolina named William Mangum. One is primarily a watercolorist with a studio in Irving Park. The second William Mangum, William Goodson Mangum, painter, sculptor, and former Chairman/Professor of Art at Salem College, sculpted the piece in today's photo.  William Goodson Mangum, born in North Carolina in 1924, studied at the Corcoran School of Art as well as the Chicago Academy of Fine arts, and the Arts Students League (reference here).

The above Mangum sculpture looks spectacularly strong and powerful from the east/west view on Lee Street (at the corner of S. Benbow). From the front, it looks entirely different, almost like three separate and unfurled banners. The yellow fall leaves frame the artwork and make it look especially beautiful. Treat yourself to an afternoon at the Chavis Lifelong Learning Branch Library and enjoy an up close view of this work of art!

Corrections to this post were made on September 30, 2011 after receiving a message from Grace Elizabeth Mangum, daughter of Professor Mangum. 

Comments

[Charlene]

I had no idea that William Magnum also sculpted! Thanks for that tidbit...only 8:18 am and I've learned my "something new" for today :)

[Hilda]

When I saw the thumbnail in the portal, I thought they were fish! Then disembodied legs. My second guess isn't too far off… ;)

[Greensboro Daily Photo]

In one day, the yellow leaves have turned brown. Now the color of this border!

[Carver]

I love the way the sculpture looks with the autumn leaves behind it.

[Dina]

Quite a sculpture! Looks like he is holding an oil lamp. Wish I could post the unusual decoration of one we found yesterday. Unfortunately I am not at liberty to publish photos of our dig finds. But I will try to give you a taste of the adventure of the dig, soon.

[Jilly]

Extraordinary and fascinating. Love the way you photographed it.

[Grace Elizabeth Mangum]

This is not the work of Greensboro watercolorist William Mangum, but the work of my father William Goodson Mangum - painter, sculptor and former Chairman and professor of the Art Department at Salem College. Please correct the attribution of this sculpture.