Brandon League of Fine Arts Hosts Center Place Artist Reception

A new art exhibit hangs in the Mook Gallery at Center Place and this time the students displaying their work created their work at the center itself.

The artist reception for the Adult Student Art Show is from 5:30-7 p.m. today, April 14, in the gallery. The reception is open to the public. The art work will hang through April and the gallery’s hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Featured is the work of artists who take instruction from art educators at Center Place, which shares space with the in the Sandy Rodriguez Center, 619 Vonderburg Drive.

“A lot of our students are a little bit leery to have their artwork shows because they think they’re not good enough,” said Center Place Executive Director Dawn Galia. “But then when the work gets hung on the walls they’re amazed at how good it looks and that it shows like quality work.

“For them to come in as a beginner and start taking lessons and get to that point to have their own show, that’s a huge accomplishment for an artist.”

Another plus in taking art classes at Center Place is the opportunity to even have a show. The Mook Gallery has a two-year waiting list for shows, Galia said.

But each year the gallery has time set aside to exhibit the work of high school students (in March) and Center Place students (in April).

“There’s no fee to enter the student show,” Galia said. “And the artists can sell their pieces if they want. A small portion goes back to Center Place and the rest they can keep for themselves.”

Tonight’s reception is hosted by the Brandon League of Fine Arts.