In celebration of our 50th anniversary, The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center presents “experience and intersection” in its three upstairs galleries from May 2, 2026 through October 2026.

This special exhibition brings together the work of John Cleaveland and the late Richard Olsen, in a compelling exploration of artistic legacy and lived experience. Olsen, who taught at the University of Georgia from 1969 to 2001, profoundly influenced generations of artists, including Cleaveland.

A Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who flew transport helicopters with the 33rd Division, Olsen later turned to his wartime experiences as subject matter. He received his BA and MA from the University of Wisconsin. Initially translating what he had seen into figural and symbolic works—often depicting the harshness and devastation of war with unflinching clarity—he gradually moved toward a more nuanced visual language.

Cleaveland, a University of Georgia graduate who also studied in Cortona, Italy, has spent a lifetime refining his approach to landscape painting. His work captures light, mood, and place with both technical precision and emotional depth, reflecting a keen and sensitive observation of the natural world. His work currently hangs in several museums across the country. He has exhibited works at many distinguished institutions including the Albany Museum of Art, the University of Georgia, the Lyndon House Art Center, The Carter Center, the Missouri State Botanical Gardens, the Morris Museum and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Cleaveland graduated from UGA in 1986. While in school, Olsen both offered encouragement and space for Cleaveland to find his true voice. “We talked about art, we talked about color and the drive it takes to be an artist. He cared about me as a human.” Olsen died last Spring. Together, their paintings create a powerful dialogue—one that reflects not only two distinct artistic voices, but also the enduring bond between teacher and student.

This exhibit has been thoughtfully curated by Andy Hayes, Kamden Ecker, Mitzi Carr and John Cleaveland.

Special thanks to foundation support by The Katherine John Murphy Foundation; the Cox Family Fund in Memory of Willie & Ruth Still Cox, Marilyn Cox Elliott, and Suzanne Cox Hartness; and the Georgia Council for the Arts

An opening reception will be held on May 2, 2026 at 6:00-8:00PM.