Award-winning public artist Jim Benedict concluded his on-campus Peyton Endowed Visiting Guest Artist workshop with an exhibit and reception in Gooding Gallery on March 1.

Benedict worked with Bolles upper school students to create an inflatable sculpture intended to be installed in both Bolles Hall towers this spring. Due to weather conditions, the mega-sized “tendrils” were displayed inside and outside of Gooding Gallery during the reception, giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to view them up close.

Works from Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus students were also on display alongside the inflatable pieces and Benedict’s works for the exhibition. See the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at Benedict working with upper school art students on the larger-than-life project.

With more than 20 years of sculptural experience, Benedict has works displayed in private and public collections in nine states and two countries. His extensive public art background covers fabrication apprenticeships, public art maintenance and repair, project organization as a fabricator and design lead, large-scale commissioned sculpture projects, consultation and advocacy for public art projects across the country.

Benedict received his MFA in 3D Art from the University of Arizona and his BFA in Sculpture from the University of Northern Iowa, where he started his career in public art. He is well-versed in safe and durable large-scale fabrication and has worked in bronze, hot-dipped galvanized steel, architecturally coated aluminum, powder-coated steel, stainless steel, cast stone and concrete as well as contemporary and innovative materials.

Benedict owns and operates a metal fabrication shop in Jacksonville, Florida, and he regularly collaborates on large-scale projects with his spouse and partner, Bolles upper school fine arts teacher Lily Kuonen. Recent projects include a 16-foot kinetic sculpture for a public park in Florida, a 19-foot suspended kinetic sculpture for a healthcare sciences entryway, a 27-foot organ donor memorial sculpture and a recent sculpture for Frankfort, Kentucky, with themes that support the neighboring river, elementary school and fire station. Current projects include trailhead landmark sculptures for Athens, Georgia, and Highlands, North Carolina.

To view pictures from Benedict’s workshop and the March 1 reception, visit our online photo gallery here. #BollesArts