{"id":14749,"date":"2026-02-06T15:33:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=14749"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:33:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:33:13","slug":"student-art-gallery-features-hundreds-of-art-pieces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/student-art-gallery-features-hundreds-of-art-pieces\/","title":{"rendered":"Student art gallery features hundreds of art pieces"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By <\/em>Cindy Buter Focke<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Kellam High senior Piper Rogers, right, submitted her artwork titled \u201cMolar Mosaic,\u201d for the 2026 Student Art Gallery, on exhibit through Feb. 21 at the TCC-JUL. Her teacher Laura Peters encouraged students to participate in the event which she said showcases \u201cthe best of the best.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Piper Rogers loves art.<\/p>\n

\u201cArt is a safe space for me,\u201d she said. \u201cIt gets my brain working.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kellam High School senior is one of several hundred students who submitted artwork for the Hampton Roads Student Gallery at the Tidewater Community College Joint-Use Library (TCC-JUL).<\/p>\n

The gallery, established more than 35 years ago, provides a platform for 11th and 12th grade students to exhibit their art in a variety of media, including three-dimensional and sculpture. Work will remain on display at the library through Feb. 21.<\/p>\n

Library services specialist Donna Simpkins said the gallery fosters community engagement.<\/p>\n

Students benefit from the experience and \u201cpatrons get to see what\u2019s happening with art in Hampton Roads,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Art students from public and private schools in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, including homeschoolers, were invited to submit one entry.<\/p>\n

At the gallery\u2019s awards reception Feb. 21, 20 honorees and six finalists will be announced at the event. Honorees\u2019 artwork will be displayed in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center Gallery at Virginia Wesleyan University and finalists\u2019 submissions will be exhibited at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.<\/p>\n

Selections are based on composition, craftsmanship, creativity and conceptual content.<\/p>\n

Students who delivered their art to the library Jan. 30 had the opportunity to talk with representatives from local museums, colleges and universities. They received feedback on their portfolios from experts in the field and learned about available art programs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Students dropping off their artwork for the 2026 Student Art Gallery Jan. 30 had the opportunity to chat with representatives from area museums, colleges and universities, including Chrysler Museum of Art Experiential Learning Manager Emily Cayton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many lined up to speak with Emily Cayton, experiential learning manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art.<\/p>\n

She talked about the importance of artists visually communicating their messages.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re doing great!\u201d she told Kyleigh Story of Manor High School in Portsmouth.<\/p>\n

Cayton reviewed several of Kyleigh\u2019s sketches and applauded her attention to detail, with minor suggestions for enhancing some shadows and lines. \u201cDraw from observation,\u201d she advised.<\/p>\n

She also suggested students organize their own galleries with peers to showcase their work.<\/p>\n

TCC offers studio art and graphic design courses and has a pre-art therapy program. James Williams, visual arts program chair, and Leslie Mounaime, curator with the school\u2019s Visual Arts & Design Center, answered lots of questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cTCC is a great way to save money and gives students more time to decide what they want to study and also develop skills,\u201d Mounaime said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
ODU associate professor and art department chair Dr. John Roth provided feedback Jan. 30 to participants in the 2026 Student Art Gallery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. John Roth said he was impressed with students\u2019 works of art. Roth, associate professor and art department chair at Old Dominion University, said it\u2019s important for them to \u201ctake their time crafting their skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

VBCPS Visual Fine Arts Instructional Specialist Rebecca Davidson said participation in the gallery provides valuable insight for students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have the opportunity to learn how to prepare their artwork for shows,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Meeting local art professionals will help students prepare for the future and learn about \u201cmultiple avenues for a career in the arts,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

Kellam High School teacher Laura Peters, who has taught art for 29 years, said the gallery allows students to showcase their unique talents.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to go see it,\u201d she said. The gallery displays \u201cthe best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exhibit dates:<\/h2>\n