New Century Art Gallery’s Young Artist Mentorship Program will host its third annual art exhibition in late June. Pictured is the work of 10th-grader Livia Kuecken. (Courtesy of Jeanne Burris-Johnson)
New Century Art Gallery’s Young Artist Mentorship Program recently announced that it will present its third annual art exhibition, showcasing the works of 10th-graders Madison Dziubinski and Livia Kuecken and 12th-graders Aislynn Landon and Heather Segura.
The exhibit will commence with an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 28, followed by regular exhibition hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 29 and noon to 4 p.m. June 30. It will take place at New Century Art Gallery North, located at 226 S. Water St. in Marine City.
“Over the past eight months, these talented young artists have immersed themselves in an intensive mentorship program designed to prepare them for the professional art world,” a recent press release for the exhibition states. “The curriculum provided them with vital knowledge on crafting artist biographies and statements, pricing artwork, understanding the importance of finishing techniques and more. The culmination of their hard work and dedication is the art that will be featured in their first professional exhibition.”
Jeanne Burris-Johnson, gallerist of New Century Art Gallery, said the gallery notifies St. Clair County middle, high school, and home school groups in September about the program application process. Subsequently, three established artists are invited to review and select participants for the year through a jury process.
Over eight months, the four students selected met once a month with Burris-Johnson to plan the exhibit while learning about the business of art, newcenturyartgallery.com states.
At the end of the program, students have a basic understanding of the art business and participate in a professional exhibition that they can add to their resume. Students each received a $100 stipend to help cover the cost of art supplies.
“We are thrilled to present the works of these exceptional young artists,” Burris-Johnson said in the release. “Their commitment and growth over the past months have been truly inspiring, and we are excited to share their creativity and vision with the community.”
“The exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the public to experience the fresh perspectives and innovative expressions of these emerging artists,” the release states. “Attendees of the opening reception will have the chance to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Burris-Johnson described each artist’s style.
“Madison Dziubinski paints in oil and creates visual narratives by blending realism with surrealism,” she said. “Aislynn Landon is a mixed media artist specializing in soft sculpture, printing and painting. Livia Kuecken is a pen and ink and watercolor artist whose work predominantly features landscapes, scenes from her travels and depictions of pets. Heather Segura, through drawing and painting, employs a dreamlike quality that draws the viewer into her narrative paintings.”
Burris-Johnson said artists are often perceived as lacking in business skills, contributing to the stereotype of the “starving artist.”
“I reject this idea, because there’s a difference between lacking instruction and lacking potential for improvement,” she said. “Being a skilled artist isn’t enough to become successful. You must be able to navigate the business side effectively. The goal of this program is to provide teens interested in pursuing art with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the art world beyond the making of art. We hope that students will apply the lessons learned in this program so that they can grow and sustain their business and create the financial stability to support their art.”
For more information, visit newcenturyartgallery.com or facebook.com/newcenturyartgallery.
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