Art teachers show what they can do at local gallery

(CNS): Instructors from the National Gallery’s education and outreach departments are showing their own artwork this month in an exhibition titled Our Gems of Art. With 25 programmes taught annually by professional artists, the gallery is highlighting the work of Joseph Betty, David Bridgeman, John Broad, Kieshona Brown, Meegan Ebanks, Kathryn Elphinstone, Monica Powery, Avril Ward, Gabrielle Wheaton, Simone Scott and Monte Thornton. Curated by this year’s Deutsche Bank Intern Kieshona Brown, (left) the work displayed shows a wide range of genres and mediums.

“This will be the second exhibition I have had the privilege of curating in the National Gallery’s Dart Auditorium/Community Gallery,” said Brown who has been focusing on the gallery’s educational provisions. The Gallery offers many different art programmes for children, adults, teens, the elderly and individuals with special needs. “These programmes are essential to the Gallery and the people of the community, but none of these programmes would have been possible if it weren’t for the men and women who take the time out of their busy lives to teach the programmes,” Brown said. “We hope that this exhibition will show the appreciation we have of our ‘gems of art’.”

Instructors at the National Gallery are either art teachers, well-known professional artists, or artists that have a lot of experience and practice in their medium.

Natalie Urquhart NGCI Director said that their dedication had not gone unnoticed. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of quality artwork produced from these programmes, because of this we are honoured to exhibit their work and to put the spotlight on the art that our instructors have produced this year,” she said.

The exhibition titled Our Gems of Art: NGCI Instructors Exhibition opens with a members’ preview event 10 July from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM. The exhibition officially opens to the public 11 July 2014 and closes 9 August 2014. For more information about the exhibition and for details regarding teaching opportunities at the National Gallery, email education@nationalgallery.org.ky or call (345) 945 8111.