George Gadson (left) with Baltimore Ravens legend and Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis.
Photo Courtesy George Gadson
For nearly four decades, artist George Gadson has quietly helped shape Broward County's visual landscape. From sculptures along the Sistrunk Corridor to installations at parks, libraries and cultural institutions, Gadson's work is woven into the fabric of South Florida. Yet the Tamarac-based artist remains as curious and observant as the day he first picked up a paintbrush.
Born and raised in the small Central Florida town of Fort Meade, Gadson's path to becoming an artist wasn't exactly conventional. After earning a theology degree from Duke University, he entered the banking industry, spending years climbing the corporate ladder before discovering a creative outlet that would change the course of his life.
"I was stressed out," Gadson tells Browardist on his banking days. "I said, 'I need a hobby, something to get away from this stress.' And I enrolled in an art class on the weekends ... just to learn how to paint and to relax."
What started as a weekend escape evolved into a career spanning painting, photography, mosaics, murals and large-scale public sculpture. Today, Gadson works from a 1,300-square-foot studio in Tamarac that doubles as both workspace and gallery.
His résumé really does read like a tour of South Florida's public spaces. Gadson created "The Bridge" at Fort Lauderdale's African American Research Library and Cultural Center, works for the Urban League of Broward County, sculptures in Tamarac, Pompano Beach and Lauderhill, and numerous commissions for civic organizations and nonprofits throughout the region.
Among his career highlights, few stand taller than receiving an invitation from First Lady Laura Bush to create an ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. "Just to be invited to the White House and to actually be in the reception ... that was pretty big," Gadson says.
Another memorable milestone came when he was commissioned by the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee to create commemorative bronze sculptures for NFL team owners during two South Florida Super Bowls.
While his medium has evolved over the years, Gadson says his inspiration often comes from everyday moments others overlook.
"I pay attention to my environment," he says. "Sometimes what I see other people may not see."
A shadow cast across a wall, an imprint in the sand or a discarded object can all become the starting point for a new work. Gadson describes himself as someone who finds possibility in the ordinary.
"One man's trash is another man's treasure," he says.
That perspective has helped fuel a body of work centered on storytelling, community history and public spaces. According to his artist statement, Gadson seeks to preserve forgotten histories, celebrate local culture and create works that foster a greater sense of belonging.
For Broward residents, there's a good chance you've already encountered a George Gadson piece without knowing it. And that's perfectly fine with the artist. What matters most is that the work sparks a feeling, a memory or a moment of connection long after the viewer walks away.
