A new exhibit opening at the Loveland Museum Friday night features the work of Thompson School District art teachers showing off their work outside of the classroom.
The exhibit, titled “Art Teachers to the Fore: Thompson Art Teacher Group Exhibition,” includes the work of eight TSD art teachers from multiple high schools, brought together by Harold Ferguson High School art teacher Tyler Smith.
He said that while the school district has had students show their art their before, he casually mentioned of having an art show for art teachers to a museum representative who passed it along to Curator of Art Maureen Corey and the idea became reality.
“(I thought) It would be such a great way for the community to support us and build our own credibility in this community.”
The result is a mix of TSD art teachers and mediums, from paintings of dogs and poppies to jewelry to Smith’s own pottery, several pieces of which were set up in the small gallery on the first floor of the museum Thursday.
Smith said that, as a teacher, he feels it is important for other art teachers to continue to practice their art so they better relate to their students as they create their own art. He said by practicing art, teachers can relate to what it is like when a student is struggling to come up with an idea or if something just doesn’t look right.
“For me, showing art is absolutely critical. Not just the showing, but the continuing to make it,” he said, later adding “with my art teaching, continuing to make art gives me that empathy toward them.”
The exhibit will be held in the Green Room at the Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., from Friday until June 23 for free. A public reception will be held during Friday’s Night on the Town from 6 to 8 p.m.
More information on the show and others at the museum can be found at thelovelandmuseum.org.
