Macon Magazine

something, being able to invent what you think it should be, was really seductive. The change in tone of the art department was a pinnacle moment to get involved," he said. Not only is Mercer expanding its art program, but also its campus. The McEachern Arts Center is in the heart of downtown, only blocks away from long-standing galleries and artist groups. Now a curator for one of those galleries, Ben is in a position to create opportunity for others, something he takes very seriously. "I try to consider when I teach – with the art department and with the gallery – what would have been the best stuff to have available when I was growing up here," he said. "Specifically, in terms of empowerment, what would younger me have wanted?" One of those methods is to feature those who can connect to our community as a destination. "Bringing nationally-tiered artists, but also being really intentional about bringing emerging artists, is an important task – and being assertive about what it really means to be supportive of emerging artists. That's the leverage we use to bring them here. Through that we can elevate the position of Macon to be more of a destination for art and artists," he said. "We can facilitate something that couldn't have happened anywhere else, which creates a pull and sets us up to be regional rather than hyper-local." One show Ben is particularly excited about is set to open Feb. 7. Featuring Chicago-based artist Kelly Kristin Jones, this exhibit is centered on Macon, its history and the contested narrative of its public spaces. "This work is about issues that are germane to Macon and speak specifically to this place," he said. Ben sees Jones' engagement with Macon as the type of show a curator should aim to offer. "I do what I can do to contribute to the dialogue about art that everyone can participate in," he said. "There should be a point of access for everyone. My aim is to ensure that we are available and accessible to those who may not typically feel as comfortable walking into an academic art setting – and that means providing programmatic opportunities as well." But his vision for the gallery and for Macon doesn't stop there. Ben sees how the art department and the gallery can work in tandem to further opportunities for students. "I aim to create and implement a visiting artists program for teaching/ working residencies in 2021. These semester-long residencies will culminate in exhibitions at the McEachern Arts Center, but more importantly they'll model a professional emerging practice for students while keeping things fresh in the art department. I think this could also help further situate Macon as a destination for art and artists," he said. From his days with the Arts Exchange to now, Ben's combined experience of growing up in Macon while also studying art elsewhere has rendered him uniquely qualified for this defining position. As an artist, a teacher, a curator and a connecter, Ben is choosing Macon. "WE CAN FACILITATE SOMETHING THAT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE ELSE, WHICH CREATES A PULL AND SETS US UP TO BE REGIONAL RATHER THAN HYPER-LOCAL." - BEN DUNN LET US HELP PLAN FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH OUR TRAINED STAFF READY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR GUESTS! CELEBRATE THE FALL SEASON WITH ALL OF THE OUR LATEST SELECTIONS OF GREAT SPIRITS, WINE AND CRAFT BEERS! 10:00AM-9:00PM | MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 10:00AM-10:00PM | FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 5554 FORSYTH ROAD (NEXT TO JENEANE'S) • (478)477-3536 • F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0 | M ACO N M AG A Z I N E.CO M 8 5

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