Art Around Campus

‘Bald Eagle,’ by Thomas Maddrey, 2007. 13.5 x 22.75" Digital Photography. Displayed in the Foyer of the Swann Wellness Center. 

After college, ESD alum Thomas Maddrey '00 became a nature and wildlife photographer for almost a decade, selling the incredible images he took to publications and stock photo platforms, as well as out of his gallery in Deep Ellum. For eight years Tom also ran photography trips to Alaska, taking 6-12 people at a time into the wilderness of places like Kenai Fjords National Park. On one of these trips, Tom shot the image of the ‘Bald Eagle,’ that you can view on your left as you step into the foyer of the Swann Wellness Center.  

Tom remembers an ESD much different from the one we know now with our beautiful John and Jennifer Eagle Gallery in the Susan M. Frank building. Tom was here when the art department was within the main schoolhouse building and he remembers a tiny darkroom and a fun and memorable photography teacher, Ms. Janis Hefley. Their art classes were small and Tom speaks fondly of glass artist Carlyn Ray '00 being in the same graduating class. One of Ray's glass sculptures is hanging near Tom's photograph, situated above you as you walk into the foyer of the Swann Wellness Center.

Tom is now an attorney and the founder of Maddrey PLLC, an art law firm based in Dallas.

A special thanks to ESD’s Art Cataloger Janis Hefley for her continued work in obtaining and correlating information about our artworks.

This piece was gifted to Father Swann by Thomas Maddrey in 2015. 

The Gill Library features works from local artist Djay Chung. 

Djay is an abstract artist who focuses on exploring our world culture through the trials of individuals deemed abandoned by society. He researches situations directly by visiting the subjects of his inspiration for weeks or months at a time, to properly place himself within the atmosphere and to grasp the tone and emotion of the local perspective. His paintings often feature rich colors, dynamic layering, and raw energy. The four artworks on display in the Gill Library are part of a series that he created after returning from Bangladesh and working with Rohingya refugees. 

Djay works out of his studio in Trinity Groves, Dallas. He has a degree in architectural engineering from his home country of South Korea and holds a B.F.A from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston. After moving to the United States and feeling confronted by a dramatic diversity of races, cultures, and creeds, Djay became interested in psychology and exposing himself to the trials and hardships of many, through volunteer work. Seeing the opportunity artwork has to transcend the barriers of language and culture, Jay seeks to illustrate emotion and the ‘real stories,’ as he travels the globe to live with those on the margins of our societal awareness.

“As an abstract painter, I’m most driven to explore the contemporary state of our world, and the diversity of culture, through the trials of those who society and culture reject," Djay said. "This juxtaposition highlights our deep-rooted desire to survive, which is exhibited in the willpower of the individuals I spend time with around the world; people forgotten by nations but who refuse to succumb to the harshness of extreme living environments.”  

These inspiring artworks will be on display until the end of April, and an artist talk date will be posted soon!

‘The Winning Spirit’ by Sandi Clark (represented by Southwest Gallery in Dallas),

Bronze Sculpture, 2010. Located by the running track at Jones Family Stadium.

Dedicated in memory of Keri Scholtz Hall.

About the Artist:

The artist Sandi Clark worked with Keri’s parents to commission this piece, with the sculpture taking about one year to complete. Clark shows her work in many galleries across several states including Colorado, Texas, California, Arizona, and in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she lives.

Interestingly, Clark’s first career was as an entrepreneur in the dental industry, owning eleven dental labs in California. During this phase of her life, the artist had hands-on experience constructing and sculpting porcelain teeth. This attention to detail and drive for perfection is evident in her bronze sculptures of adults, children, animals, and fountains, which she has been creating full-time since the early 1990s. 

 

About Keri:

Eddie Eason remembers Keri, “She was a popular member of the class of 1987, Keri was in 7th grade when I started. Her nickname was “the rocket” and she held all of the track records (she maybe still holds one or two of them). She had great prowess as a sprinter. Her class was instrumental in the development of the athletic center & track (which opened around 1985). Keri was active in the French club, a member of the student council and National Honors society. She is definitely one of those kids that you miss.” 

“She was adored. I never taught her but I saw her around the school and also when she was working here. She had a dynamic, friendly, happy spirit. She was loved by everyone...an outstanding lady. She loved ESD and was very devoted to the school”. - Janis Hefley. 

While at ESD Keri received the Carol Rugeley Dockery Award, a memorial given each year to an outstanding junior who exemplifies the following qualities: a deep love of God and family, a commitment to learning and scholarship, loyalty to friends, a concern and compassion for anyone troubled or in need, and an efficiency in carrying out any task undertaken. Amongst many other awards and nominations, Keri also received the Chancellor’s Cup for the most outstanding student.  

When Keri was 16 she completed her first solo flight, upholding a family tradition by earning her flight certificate on her 16th birthday, even before taking her driver’s exam. There were a couple of lovely photos of her in the Dallas Morning News with titles “The daring young girl and her magnificent flying machine” and “16-year-old earns her wings, in the family tradition”. 

After graduation, Keri once took a job selling Xerox copy machines. Keri’s Mom Nita says she hated it and came home one day to tell her Mom she’d quit! When her mom asked what she was planning on doing next Keri replied she was going straight to see Father Swann. She loved Father Swann. Keri Scholtz Hall became the Director of Alumni Relations, a position that she held here at ESD for a couple of years.

 

This bronze sculpture was a gift to ESD and was commissioned from donations made to the Keri Scholtz Hall Memorial Fund. Dedicated on November 13, 2010

Next time you’re out on the track or driving past on Midway, take a moment to look and appreciate this lovely bronze work of art, dedicated to a very special lady.

The new Local Artist Feature Wall in the Gill Library presents works by Francene Christianson. This feature wall will rotate biannually. 

Francene is a figurative and landscape painter with a background working in advertising and graphic design agencies in both New York and Los Angeles. She is now a full-time painter working out of her studio here in Dallas. Francene was the judge for our MS Private Schools Art Invitation in February of this year.

Francene is giving an Artist Talk this Friday, September 27, 10:10-10:50 a.m. in the Gill Library. Grade 8 Art and Sculpture Students will be in attendance however, the talk is open to all students and faculty so please join us if you can.

“I paint people and places that remind me of special times in my life. While these moments are transitory, painting lets me create a lasting memento of an otherwise passing view.

I look for the universal appeal in everyday moments. To do this, I draw inspiration from old family photos, preserving mid-century images in a modern context. I also look for the story in the places where I live.

It's true that everything is bigger in Texas. When I first moved here, I was floored by the great expanses of this state. In turn, my view of landscape has shifted to include aerial perspectives that attempt to capture the sheer scale of place. At Trinity Groves, I plan to continue exploring this series, while also staying open to new inspirations.”  - Francene Christianson 

‘Wings,’ by The Episcopal School of Dallas Middle School Students. Ink on Paper, 78’ x 95” 2018. Displayed opposite the Eagles Nest in the SBS Wellness Center. 

Last school year, to honor the life of Father Swann, the ESD Middle School students set about creating a piece of art in tribute to him. Each MS student and teacher had the opportunity to create a feather, which collectively made these beautiful wings. 

The installation of these wings was no easy feat! This required the specialists at ‘Signature Millwork’ to create a frame and hanging system that did not impact the wood paneling behind the installation. Signature Millwork is the company responsible for the beautiful wooden paneling throughout the SMS Wellness Center. A special thanks to Jay Michael and Bryan Stuart for their support and involvement with the Art Around Campus Committee to get this artwork preserved and hung in remembrance of our Founding Rector and Headmaster, The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann.