"Fishing Culebra Creek" by Shane McDonald

Oil on Canvas | 30" x 48" (36" x 54" framed)

Bring the beauty of nature into your home with Fishing Culebra Creek, a stunning original oil painting on canvas by acclaimed artist Shane McDonald. Measuring 30"" x 48"" (36"" x 54"" framed), this large-scale work captures the tranquility and richness of the landscape with McDonald's signature artistry and attention to light, color and atmosphere.

Known for his evocative landscapes, McDonald's work invites viewers to slow down and connect with the natural world. This remarkable piece is not only a striking focal point for any collection but also a timeless reminder of the serenity found in nature's quiet moments.

An extraordinary opportunity to own an original painting of this scale and caliber, Fishing Culebra Creek will be cherished for generations.

"Particle" by Donte K. Hayes

Ceramic | 4" x 5" x 6" | 2025

The ceramic sculpture "Particle" reflects the profound idea that even the smallest presence can create lasting impact.

Through form and surface, Hayes explores how fragments - cultural, spiritual or material - carry the power to shape memory and history. Like particles in science, these elements gather and transform, reminding us that from the smallest origins come the greatest changes.

This work was chosen by the artist specifically for the Gala, underscoring how every contribution, whether small or large, has the potential to transform the trajectory of a student and artist's life.

About the Artist:

Donte K. Hayes is an acclaimed contemporary ceramicist whose works are housed in prestigious collections including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), the Zuckerman Museum of Art (Kennesaw State University), the Gardner Museum (Toronto) and the Institute Museum of Ghana. A summa cum laude graduate of KSU, Hayes holds both an MA and MFA from the University of Iowa and is the 2017 recipient of the University of Iowa Arts Fellowship. In 2022, he was awarded the highly competitive Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Biennial Grant. Owning Particle offers not just a remarkable artwork, but a connection to an artist whose voice is shaping contemporary ceramic art on an international stage.

"Vein," by Arthur Liou, 2008

Archival inkjet print on Crane paper, museum silver rag, 24.5 x 50.5 inches

The Pure Land print series continues Liou's exploration of painterly sensibility within moving images, translating the tactile and abstract qualities of paint into a meditative visual language. Originating from his earlier work Elements (2006), where an oil painting was animated to resemble a living, organic surface, the project deepens his inquiry into the expressive intersection of film and painting. Influenced by his exchanges with painter Barry Gealt, Liou transforms the movement of pigment into emotional landscapes that are turbulent, luminous, and introspective.

Rendered with exquisite photographic precision and painterly subtlety, "Vein" invites viewers to contemplate the rhythm of existence pulsing beneath the surface - a visual metaphor for vitality, connection, and the impermanence that defines us.

Goldhagen Art Glass Sculpture, 18 x 17

Bring brilliance and color into your space with this exquisite handblown glass sculpture by Goldhagen Art Glass. Known for their vibrant use of color, fluid form, and impeccable craftsmanship, Goldhagen pieces capture light and motion in a way that feels both timeless and alive.

Each sculpture is created by master glass artist David Goldhagen, whose work is recognized nationwide for its radiant hues and sculptural elegance. His pieces are featured in museums, corporate, and private collections across the United States and are prized for their ability to transform any setting into a gallery of light.

This stunning work of art is more than a decorative centerpiece - it's a celebration of color, craftsmanship and the luminous beauty of glass.

"Havana Harbor" by Geo Sipp
Woodblock Print, 26 x 32

Created as part of a classroom project on Cuban Orisha gods, Havana Harbor reflects both mentorship and artistry. Working alongside his illustration students, Sipp crafted his own interpretation of the theme-capturing the spiritual resonance and rhythmic energy of Havana through the bold contrasts and tactile textures of traditional woodcut printmaking.

The piece stands as a testament to Sipp's dual role as educator and artist, blending cultural exploration with masterful technique.

About the Artist:
Geo Sipp, Director of the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State University, is an internationally exhibited artist and award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Time-Warner, and the Los Angeles Times. His work has been shown in galleries and museums across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Asia, including the Sharjah Museum of Art and the Zuckerman Museum of Art.

Recently, Sipp has earned a Merit Award for Illustration from the Art Directors Club of New York, had work featured in American Illustration Annuals 43 & 44, received recognition in the Creative Quarterly International Awards, and was a Finalist at the 2025 World Illustration Awards in London.

"Trams in Algiers" by Geo Sipp
Woodblock Print, 25.5x25, from the graphic narrative, Wolves in the City

Trams in Algiers is part of Sipp's ongoing graphic narrative Wolves in the City, which follows an American expatriate who joins the French Foreign Legion during the French-Algerian War. The woodcut captures a moment suspended between movement and memory-its layered composition evoking the tension, rhythm, and atmosphere of a city shaped by conflict and transformation.

Executed in bold linework and nuanced texture, this print embodies Sipp's signature storytelling through image-where history, politics, and human experience converge in powerful visual form.

About the Artist:
Geo Sipp, Director of the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State University, has worked with leading global clients including ABC Television, Coca-Cola, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Walt Disney Company. His work has been exhibited internationally-from the Adam Baumgold Gallery in New York to the Algerian Cultural Ministry in Algiers-and he continues to be recognized for artistic excellence worldwide.

His recent accolades include a Merit Award for Illustration at the Art Directors Club of New York, publication in American Illustration Annuals 43 & 44, multiple honors in Creative Quarterly's international awards, and selection as a Finalist for the 2025 World Illustration Awards in London.

"Owl" by Richard Reiner

Acrylic on Canvas | 12" x 16"

This striking acrylic painting of an owl by artist Richard Reiner, nephew of legendary entertainer Carl Reiner, captures both elegance and symbolism.

The owl - long associated with wisdom and insight - is also the beloved mascot of Kennesaw State University, making this artwork a sophisticated tribute to the students and programs supported by this gala. Hooty-hoo!

Rendered with Reiner's distinctive eye for character and color, this 12" x 16" piece balances warmth and refinement, making it a beautiful addition to any art collection or home. A thoughtful nod to creativity, intellect, and the spirit of KSU, this piece celebrates both artistic talent and the transformative power of education.