KSD Students to show off their art May 11
Published 6:25 am Friday, May 4, 2018
- Photos contributed A mural on a wall at Kentucky School for the Deaf shows an art quote explaining the "language" or art, as well as the American Sign Language sign for "I love you."
An ‘international language’
Jack Carey strolled around the Gathering Artist Fine Art Exhibit at Walden Funeral Home at the opening reception on April 28. One of his own paintings is prominently displayed in the front hall. He stopped in front of a pair of paintings of scenes in Perryville. Carey proudly shared that the artist, Kellye Milburn from Perryville, is a former student of his.
Alex Meckes graduated from Danville High School in 2005. After graduation from the College of St. Mary’s in Notre Dame, Indiana with a degree in studio art, Meckes planned a career in the art museum world. While exploring her options, she served as a substitute teacher in Danville. Her experiences led her to enroll at the University of the Cumberlands and complete a Masters in Art Education.
Kentucky School for the Deaf senior Payne Yance has been studying art for four years and likes working in oils and experimenting with pointillism. After he graduates from KSD, he’ll attend Gallaudet University.
Carey and Meckes share both artistic talent and the commitment to educating others; Carey as a private instructor and Meckes as a teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf.
On Friday, May 11, the art students at KSD will exhibit their year of work at a public exhibit.
Senior Payne Yance has been studying art at KSD for four years. He particularly enjoys working in oils and experimenting with pointillism — a neo-impressionist technique using tiny dots of pure colors which become blended when the viewer takes the piece in.
After graduation, he will attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and study art, film, photography and creative writing. Yance has made a head start on his first book, “The Tragedy of Boyhood,” and is in the brainstorming stage of a second book.
Many deaf and hard of hearing children actually learn two languages. Acquiring English is comparable to learning a second language. Art plays a vital role in the acquisition of the second language as it supports the development of communication.
Often deaf and hard of hearing individuals are visually astute and will enjoy, and excel in, the study of art because it encourages attention to detail and offers a variety of avenues for individual expression.
Kentucky School for the Deaf senior Courtney Downey, a first-year art student, works on a watercolor piece.
Meckes decided a career as a teacher was the right career to use her artistic abilities and training. She appreciates the process of creativity. As an educator, Meckes sees her role in the process is to present the skills and encourage the students to explore and develop as they work and study together, confronting new ideas and thoughts. Teacher and students learn from each other.
Yance said his study in art class at KSD has changed his opinion and interest in art, leading him to plan for a future in creative fields.
“There is so much to learn and depth to art”, he said. Art class and his teacher have developed his skills and broadened his options.
IF YOU GO
Kentucky School for the Deaf student art show is 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 11 in Kerr Hall.
Reminders:
• The next Tour D’ville Bike ride is 1 p.m. Saturday. Those who want to join can meet in Weisiger Park. Tour leader Rick Serres will guide participants through historic Danville, stopping at five locations for conversation and rest. The tour is free, but donations are accepted each month and given to a local non-profit. This month, donations will go to the Arts Commission of Danville/Boyle County.
• The Gathering Artists Fine Art Exhibit continues through May at Walden Funeral Home in Perryville.
• The matching grant campaign for “Building a Community of Artist Entrepreneurs” program continues through May. Donation information can be found at dbc-arts.org or arts@historicdanvilleky.com
