Article: Suzanne
Steed
Artist: Don Gordon -
1973
Mystical Mary Allen
College
Mary Allen College
has always had a special
aura about it, not only
because it has historical
architectural significance,
not only because it was
ahead of its time in
providing higher education
for Houston County citizens
as well as others state
wide, but also because it
has a mystical presence
that is unexplainable.
In the last 50 years, the
aura of Mary Allen has drawn
the county's teenagers who
would look in awe at the
great looming structure on
top of "college hill",
sometimes venturing to climb
atop and view the valley
below. Before them, many of
their parents came and saw
a different Mary Allen but
with the same drawing
presence.
Now it is the grand-children
who come. Photographers
have come and documented the
steady decline of
architecture with birds and
vines taking over yet
lending another dimension of
interest. Windows have a
sad countenance as they
stand as a reminder of
hopeful students who looked
out through them in earlier
times ready to face the
world armed with an
education as well as those
on the outside looking in
wanting to be a part of the
educational opportunities
offered by Mary Allen.
Artists such as , Don
Gordon, in 1973, sat many
hours painting and thinking
of those who had passed
through the doors in search
of a better life through
education. Don Gordon was
drawn, as many others before
and and have been since, to
the mystique of Mary Allen.
Don Gordon felt that the
ground held a sacredness as
well and was inspired to
capture this in his
painting.
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