.nRT ElF mE WElElBWElRK Harding has always been a place of history because it has been able to preserve its great campus. One of the many story· telling sites on campus is the Art Gallery. In the beginning the Art Gallery was Dr. Benson's home. Dr . Benson was able to build this house after he got Harding out of debt. He asked different places for donations. Most of these donations were supplies such as lumber from Texas, bricks and shingles from Little Rock. Mr. Harvey Dykes built the house while he helped Har· ding with its construction. Before Benson lived in the house, he lived in Pattie Cobb · dorm with his family. He said, "At times I didn't get very much sleep, but I always forced myself to get up early enough r breakfast." In 1940 Benson was able to eat his breakfast in his own home. The house had a large dining room, kitchen, and living room. The downstairs also had a guest bedroom. The house had three bedrooms and a study for Dr. Benson upstairs. Dr . Benson said, "Some of my favorite times in the house were spent eating around the dining room table." He also said it was special because "it was where my girls, Ruth and Lois, grew up." In 1965 Dr. Benson resigned as president of Harding, and he left the house to the next presi· dent. Instead of it being used in that capacity, it was used as a dorm. First it was a residing hall for boys, and later it was for girls. During this time the art students used the garage for the kiln. They needed a large concrete surface, and the garage was not only perfect but also available. Afterwards, Harding built the Art Building connecting it to the president's house. When the building was finished in 1969, the house was used by the Art Department for offices. They converted two baths and the four bedrooms into offices. The gallery itself was the living room and the dining room. As a result the house makes an excellent office facility, and the art teachers are very happy with it. Mrs. Mason said that she likes it because it's more homey. She also said, "Not every teacher has two cedar lined closets in their office." Mrs. Mason managed to get the - John Radcliffe largest office on campus while going for years without one. She did say there were some disadvantages because, "it isn't modern, but having a kitchen in the gallery makes it all worth· while." The building is now 4 2 years old. Not only has it housed ,the president and many friends of Harding, but also has housed many famous art pieces. The gallery is used each semester by graduating seniors to exhibit their work over their college years. Also, the art department invites several pro· fessional artists to exhibit their work at the gallery. Contained within the woodwork are the memories and dreams. For some, the experiences of life. For others, the experience of turning those memories and dreams into realities. ~ - Tim L. Johnson 1. WHAT is known as the Art Gallery to most students is really a home from days gone by. 2. THE fireplace adds a touch of style to lhe gallery. 3. AS the sign outside the gallery changes, so changes the personality inside. 4. FACULTY members dis· play their work in the gaUery. 5. THE old dining room gives paintings a distinguished atmosphere. Art Gallery·37
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