Back in Session: Emerging Artist Series pt 6 and Hurricane Ian - October 2022
School is back in session and so is the Fourth Annual Volusia County Schools Student exhibition at GALLERY500. Last year, we featured the student’s work as part of our Emerging Artist Series. This year, we are thrilled to continue to showcase these young artists emerging into our local arts community. This show has grown from twelve 2-D pieces in its initial year to now forty-eight works in a diversity of medias.
Each Year, Gallery Director Amber O’Neal works with Volusia County Schools Visual Arts Director, Bryce Hammond, to curate and install the works. Bryce truly deserves the credit as he has cultivated an amazing Visual Arts Program throughout Volusia County. With Bryce’s efforts, he showcases student work in over 30 shows throughout the year. That is extraordinary by any standard.
Our judges had a terrific challenge ahead of them as the variety of works, from subjects to mediums is immense. Kristen Heron, Curator of Education, Outreach and Exhibitions at the Ormond Museum of Art and Gardens, Whitney Broadaway, Director of the Southeast Museum of Photography and Victoria Jones, owner of Frame of Mind provided expertise as diverse as the artworks. All were impressed with the quality of the work and creativity of the students.
As the show grows so do the awards for the juried exhibition. In years past, we have awarded a Best of Show prize scholarship of $500 and an additional $500 donated to the student’s visual arts program. This year, we have added three additional Honorable Mention awards. Each winner received two tickets to Art Battle, hosted by Gallery500 and ONE DAYTONA on October 22nd.
At GALLERY500 we truly hope to show the students that a viable career in the arts is possible. We feel it is important for young artists to see other artists working today, making a career from their passion. It is important for young artists to see that one can work in a museum, gallery, framing business or paint live during an event like Art Battle. The options are endless. The most important aspect is to do what you love.
The exhibition will be on display through October 21st at GALLERY500. We want to thank our judges, teachers and parents who attended the Opening Reception on October 7th; most importantly we want to thank the students for continuing to create and provide such amazing work to showcase at GALLERY500.
We hope you can stop by the gallery and be as impressed as we are. VCS Student work will also be on display during the ONE DAYTONA Art Festival on October 22nd and 23rd and as part of the Student Art Walk. Guests will be able to find a unique student work at various locations throughout ONE DAYTONA. Those who find all the pieces during the Student Art Walk will be entered to win a prize package through Art Haus. Check out our events page to stay up to date with activities at the gallery during the festival.
October has already been a busy month not only at the gallery but for many throughout the state. The start of the month brought Hurricane Ian and devastation to many in our community and throughout the state. We are grateful the gallery sustained no damage, and our staff and families are safe. Not everyone was as lucky. Iconic landmarks such as the Flagler Pier and Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach are forever different. While we can rebuild, the impact of the storm will continue for years to come. Gallery500 wants to help in the best way we know how, with art.
GALLERY500 has curated a special Hurricane Ian Relief collection. We will donate a portion of sales from pieces in this collection, sold throughout the month of October, to Jeep Beach in support of their efforts to help those most impacted by Hurricane Ian in our community. Jeep Beach is dedicated to raising funds to support our local community. Last year, Jeep Beach raised $650,000 in support of local charities. Helping those most impacted by Hurricane Ian is just another way Jeep Beach continues to support their "Jamily."
We invite you to take the time to preview the collection and consider adding a piece to your collection. Please contact the gallery if you have any questions.
We appreciate your continue support throughout the years and look forward to seeing everyone on October 22nd and 23rd at the ONE DAYTONA Art Festival. Check out the website for more information or our events page for the schedule of activities at the gallery throughout the weekend.
-Your GALLERY500 Team