Art galleries to bring inspiration to campus communities this spring

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) alumni seek to inspire through works of art by promoting inclusive representation. Their work will be on view in the school's art galleries this spring semester.

Victoria Cooke, director of art galleries, is excited UNG will showcase Charles Mitchell and Ebony Glenn's work, as they are both UNG alumni.

"Ebony Glenn is going to share her experiences in the book illustration industry with students both in the exhibition and during her visits to classes," Cooke said. "Her illustrations help to create positive images for young African Americans."

Additionally, Cooke believes both artists will connect with students who don't typically attend art galleries.

"The exhibition of work by Mitchell is equally relevant to a student studying music or hoping to go into talent management," Cooke said.

Ebony Glenn's pieces on "The Importance of Representation in Children's Literature from an Illustrator's Perspective" will be showcased Feb. 4-27 in the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery inside the Professional and Continuing Education Building on UNG's Gainesville Campus in Oakwood, Georgia. Her display focuses on the importance of having individuals with different backgrounds and ethnicities in children's books.

In Dahlonega, "Music is only Skin Deep" by Mitchell will run from Feb. 13 to March 16 in the Bob Owens Art Gallery in Hoag Student Center. Mitchell uses mixed media to celebrate artists who blur the lines of color in music. Mitchell will discuss his work at the artist talk and reception at noon March 16.

Kicking off the exhibitions will be works by artist Kelly King, who uses ceramic sculptures to explore the psychological spaces around us. Her exhibition will run Jan. 7-30 in the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery.

The art galleries will also feature work of UNG student artists. The Spring Art Sale will be April 27 through May 8 on the Gainesville Campus. All proceeds go directly to the student artists.

All of the galleries ultimately serve to educate students.

"Each exhibition in our schedule is tied to classes taught on campus," Cooke said. "They have been chosen to complement the teaching regimen of the Department of Visual Arts. The gallery exhibitions are an additional way that we educate students in our programs."