ArtWorks Inc. has reemerged in a new location, namely, The SKyPAC Main Gallery, 601 College Street in Bowling Green. The ArtWorks coalition, incorporated since 2007, has exhibited in many Bowling Green galleries, including the WKU Main University Gallery, The Capitol Gallery and Thoroughbred Square. The new location at The SKyPAC Gallery will secure a home for four annual ArtWorks exhibitions.
Artworks’ inaugural exhibition at the gallery, held during July/August 2021, was a success; thirty-six artists exhibited 89 pieces of original art. The exhibition honored three founding members who recently passed away: Donnie Firkins, Jacqui Lubbers and Peg Truman. Patrons were pleasantly impressed with the curated art and many pieces sold during the exhibition. The organization’s membership includes local and regional professional and amateur visual artists. More than a dozen different types of art mediums are represented in 2D and 3D styles
The ArtWorks members recently elected new officers and board of directors: President: Lynette Frey Haggbloom; Vice-President: Jared Weaver; Secretary: Shanna Paul; Treasurer: Myra Dwyer, and the board of directors: Lynne Ferguson, David Marquez, Suzanne Menck, Brent Oglesbee and Lana Williams. Cheree Federico continues as Membership and Communications Director. Haggbloom, a founding member of the organization, said she was honored to work with such a talented group of artists who look forward to participating in the four annual exhibitions.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, ArtWorks has been a proud sponsor of the Young Artist Grant Program (YAGP). Beginning in 2008, a $1,000 grant has been annually awarded to a BRADD middle school or high school art program. The 2021/2022 grant will be used to educate art students on how to produce a professional exhibition. The grant will be presented at the December 6th ArtWorks’ meeting and the students will use the spring semester to work toward an exhibition to be held May 2022 in The SKyPAC’s Wedge Gallery.
ArtWorks’ next exhibition in The SKyPAC Gallery will be held October 1-31, 2021. This is the 13th Annual Members-Only Juried Exhibition and awards will be presented on October 16th at 1pm. The gallery will be open from 10am-2pm on the 16th and the public is invited to come in and view the exhibit. Nicole Hand, Professor of Art and Assistant Dean at Murray State University, will jury the event. The exhibition is sponsored by Clark Beverage Group, Inc., The Ellis Walker Gallery, Sharon Mutter and Hank Wohltjen, The WKU Art and Design faculty and The Presbyterian Church. The gallery is open Monday-Friday 9am–5pm and during evening performances.
Artists who are interested in joining the organization can email info@artworksinc.org and request a membership form. Art patrons who are interested in supporting the ArtWorks Young Artist Grant Program or who would like to sponsor an award during the juried exhibitions may contact Lynette Haggbloom at 270-792-3332 or info@artworksinc.org.
Mission Statement
ArtWorks: a Visual Arts Coalition is a non-profit organization of artists, patrons and supporters dedicated to creating a sustainable art community by increasing visibility, vitality and economic growth for the visual arts.
Vision Statement
ArtWorks: a Visual Arts Coalition will be a driving force in the Bowling Green, Kentucky area. We will actively participate in our community while promoting, protecting and preserving the vitality and visibility of the visual arts. ArtWorks will commit to empower visual artists through financial support, exhibition opportunities and professional seminars. We will educate the community and its leaders and policy makers on the economic benefits gained by enhancing our local culture through the works of visual artists.
Central to our Vision is a philanthropic plan designed to assist and strengthen our community at large, which in turn will help ensure a successful future for our coalition of visual artists.
As an organized body of visual artists which took root from the seeds of philanthropy, ArtWorks will pursue strategic investments and partnerships in projects and initiatives that inspire visual artists to imagine new horizons and to create new visions that will catalyze the cultural arts movement in our community.
ArtWorks will become the voice of leadership for the visual arts.
-submitted by ArtWorks Inc.
