SKYCTC to officially open new art gallery, public invited on Sept. 14
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is celebrating the opening of the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation Art Gallery.
The new gallery is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Organizers say the public is invited to attend.
A ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m., followed by an artist reception where guests can meet Notheisen and see the exhibition, organizers say.
According to SKYCTC, the gallery represents a long-term effort to make a permanent exhibition space for the college’s student artists while also providing a place for local and regional artists.
Organizers say this idea began in 2013 when David Jones joined SKYCTC as an art instructor tasked with constructing the college’s art program.
Jones began advocating for a dedicated gallery space outside the art studio.
According to the college, the SKYCTC Art Club held multiple pop-up exhibitions and fundraisers. Building D was remodeled and reopened as the Tincher Campus and Community Center, now including a professional art gallery.
Leslie Nichols, who serves as the gallery director, and Jones worked together to develop the gallery’s vision and operations, earning the President’s Cup for Innovation for their work in establishing the new art gallery.
“The SKYCTC Art Gallery is another example of how we can create opportunities for our students while strengthening our connection to the community,” said SKYCTC Chancellor Michelle Trawick. “This space gives our students a professional environment to showcase their creativity and gives our community another place to experience exceptional art. We are excited to see the opportunities it will create for our students, artists and region.”
The SKYCTC Foundation, including Heather Rogers, Millie Wells and Chantal Allen, along with Associate Professor of Art Matt Kirby, also played significant roles in preparing the gallery, organizers say.
“We are deeply grateful to celebrate this amazing gift from the LGT Charitable Foundation,” said SKYCTC Vice Chancellor of Resource Development Heather Rogers. “This $100,000 endowment does so much more than place a name on a wall—it brings life to a permanent space where our students and our community can gather, connect and be inspired. Art has a unique way of bringing people together, and this generous support ensures our gallery will remain a welcoming, vibrant home for local artists and students for generations to come. The LGTC Foundation shares our heart for this community, and we are honored to partner with them in making the arts accessible to everyone right here at SKYCTC.”
The event will take place at 1845 Loop Drive in Bowling Green.
