To have a permanent gallery in his honor, in his hometown and at the university he loves would be the greatest recognition any artist could receive.

Internationally acclaimed artist Fred “Nall” Hollis took a deep breath as he stood surrounded by his artwork at the International Arts Center at Troy University Thursday.

“This is like a homecoming for me,” Nall said. “This artwork is my life story.”

The artwork that spans time – from when Nall was a 6-year-old growing up on Murphree Street in Troy until almost now – was donated to the university by the artist.

“I needed to clean out my storage unit,” Nall said, jokingly. “This gallery is a special honor and I’m not sure I deserve it. Remember, I did knock out all the electricity on campus.”

Nall was the artist-in-residence at Troy University in 2000 and did not knock out the electricity on campus with an unannounced balloon release at morning “rush hour.”

Some of the artwork in the permanent gallery was done when Nall was at Troy University. Other pieces he did at his studios in France and Fairhope and other places around the world

Perhaps, the artwork most familiar to local residents and all Alabamians are the portraits of Alabama artists that Nall featured in his book “Alabama Art.” Sculptor and painter Charlie Lucas; painter, sculptor, photographer William Christenberry; folk artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth are among the Alabama artists Nall chose to recognize for their contributions to “Alabama Art.” And, for good measure, he included a self-portrait.

“And, Kathryn Tucker Windham?”

“I sold her. Probably should not have. But I did.” Nall said.

There are also the fun pieces. Pieces that are almost whimsical. Then, there are those that make artistic statements about life at its best and at its darkest, about birth and death and times in between. Often, pieces about art that is political in nature.

“And it should be,” the artist said.

Nall seemed drawn to a large piece titled “Thanksgiving, RSVP.”

When the Indians realized what the white man was doing to the land, to them as a people, the response was “No thanks to Thanksgiving.”

A small piece that is framed, but not so ornately as others, is Nall’s drawing of a horse that was done when he was 6 years old. Hanging next to it is a painting of a horse that is Nall, all grown up.

“I did improve or did I?” he said with wrinkled brow. “Maybe not.”

The Troy native and international acclaimed artist said having the honor of a permanent gallery at Troy University and to be a part of the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park and International Art Center is a great way to “come back home.”

However, Nall’s artistic talents are not confined to the gallery. His 10-foot, 3,300 pound sculpture, “Violata Pax Dove” is the centerpiece of the Daniel Foundation of Alabama Plaza within the park area. The Dove is a symbol of both beauty and sorrow.

Troy University First Lady Janice Hawkins said she almost cried when she first saw the piece.

“It is a masterpiece, and it is in the perfect place,” Hawkins said.

Nall said the idea for Violata Pax Dove came to him when he was sitting a cafe in France.

“A little pigeon came hopping along on one foot feeding on bread crumbs,” he said. “That wasn’t long after the World Trade Center. And I thought of a wounded dove of peace, Violata Pax.”

Nall developed the sculpture while designing a New Year’s card for the Region of Tuscany in 2005 to portray the suffering of Christ, human suffering, purity and a symbol of peace. In 2006, the sculpture was the backdrop for the United Nations World Peace Day observance in the city of Assisi, Italy. Placed in the doorway to the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, visitors would enter seeing the damaged side of the Dove. Upon leaving, following prayers and meditations, the visitors encountered the healthy side of the Dove. The exhibit drew nine million visitors in 2006.

Whether visitors to the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park and International Arts Center will be introduced or re-introduce to Nall and his art, they will be impacted by the artist’s work and, perhaps, just as Alabama author Fannie Flagg was impacted.

“I must confess my inability to analyze any artist’s work,” Flagg wrote in Nall’s “Alabama Art.”

But she continued with this observation about the man and his art.

“Nall is a restless man, who, being much braver and more curious than most of his Alabama brothers and sisters, has traveled and lived in places that most of us have only read about. And, he gathered it all up and brought it home and mixed it into his great, big creative pot. He has added ingredients from here and there that have never been mixed before, making a delicious, exotic stew.”

Nall’s “exotic stew” is available to all who will partake at the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park and International Arts Center on the campus of Troy University.