The Hammond Regional Art Center’s exhibition “Art Educators as Artists” opened on Friday, Sept. 2 and will end on Friday,  Sept. 23. The exhibition was intended to honor educators and professors who are also known as artists. The invitational show also intended to showcase the talents of teachers outisde of the classroom and to also show the importance of art.
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green 

The complex worlds of education and art were intertwined during an exhibition that honored and showcased local professors and art educators that are also recognized as artists in their own right.

The Hammond Regional Arts Center held the opening reception for the third “Art Educators as Artists” exhibition on Friday, Sept. 9 from 5-8 p.m.

“Art Educators as Artists” was curated by local educator and artist Denise Tullier-Holly, past president of the Louisiana Art Education Association. The first show was held after Tullier-Holly was named National Elementary Art Educator of the Year in 2008 and decided to invite art educators that she met through the National Art Education Association.

“An educator’s life outside the classroom often gets overlooked and their students don’t normally get the opportunity to experience the personal work of their teachers,” said Media Coordinator for HRAC Tara Bennett. “That is exactly what this exhibition is all about.”

This gave educators who are artists that sometimes go unrecognized an opportunity to show their talents outside of the classroom.

“This was also a perfect opportunity to recognize all of the talented artists who work in the field of education,” said Bennett.

Art was displayed in various forms, some including, photography and ceramics.

According to Bennett, quite a few of the visitors engaged in dialogue with each other about the pieces and the processes it took to make them, meeting one of the several goals that she had for the exhibition.

“I expected several pieces from storytellers where the works allowed me a glimpse into one moment of their lives, or represented something that holds meaning to them,” said Bennett.

Bennett explained the similarities between art and teaching in ways that may have gone unrecognized.

“Art can be used as a teaching tool and teaching can become an art form,” said Bennett. “Both also go hand in hand as a way to build and utilize critical thinking skills.”

The exhibition was held in conjunction with the 2016 LAEA Conference, Art on the Right Track. The LAEA selected guests from the NAEA and community members were all encouraged to attend. 

The exhibition began on Friday, Sept. 2 and will continue until Friday, Sept. 23.  

Bennett believes that the exhibition is critical to the local culture and history of Hammond due to the daily importance of art.

“It’s not just important for people with artistic talent,” said Bennett. “It is important for all people to be surrounded by art. It enriches one’s life to know that art is part of their culture and history. When art is lacking in schools, students have a hard time understanding that from the abstract to the concrete is a possibility. Art expands their horizons.” 

For more information on other upcoming events held by HRAC, visit their website at hammondarts.org or call 985-542-7113. 

Denise Tullier-Holly, local artist and Southeastern Lab School educator curated the exhibit which included pieces such as pottery, portraits, sculptures and ceramics.
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green