SKYCTC opens new art gallery
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A new space dedicated to student creativity has officially opened on the campus of Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, marking the debut of the SKYCTC Gallery and its first-ever exhibition.
The inaugural show features student artwork exclusively, highlighting the work of recent and current students from the college’s art program.
College leaders say the gallery has been a long-standing vision that has now become reality.
Dr. Michelle Trawick, president and CEO of Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, says the space is designed to serve both students and the wider campus community.
“This entire space, this whole building, is meant to be a campus community center, and this in many ways is the linchpin of that center,” Trawick said.
She says the gallery is meant to encourage reflection, creativity and new perspectives.
“I am not an artist, but I love the artwork and the feelings it creates, the thoughts it stirs, and the appreciation for different perspectives,” Trawick said. “To have this here on our campus is just remarkable.”
Gallery director Leslie Nichols says the opening exhibition puts students at the center of the experience.
“When the paint was dry and we were first given the keys to the space, there was not a doubt that we wanted our students to be the star of the show,” Nichols said.
She says the student-juried exhibition helps elevate both the artwork and the campus environment.
“Having a dedicated, beautiful gallery really elevates our community and showcases our student work,” Nichols said. “And then our student work is elevating our campus every day.”
The exhibition includes pieces from students who have attended SKYCTC within the past two years.
Art professor David Jones says the gallery is the result of years of planning and collaboration among faculty and staff.
“This is our first show here at SKY with the gallery,” Jones said. “All of the work in the gallery is student work from anyone who has been a student here within the last two years.”
Jones says seeing the space finally open is a meaningful milestone for the program.
“Leslie Nichols and I and the other art faculty have dreamed of this,” he said. “It’s awesome to see it come to fruition and come to life.”
College officials say the gallery will continue hosting exhibitions and events, giving students new opportunities to display their work and engage with the community through art.
