By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The Shelby County Arts Council proudly presents its Second Annual Director’s Invitational Exhibit featuring works by Shelby County public school visual art teachers at its opening reception Sunday, Jan. 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the SCAC Gallery at 104 Mildred St. in Columbiana.

Shelby County children are blessed to be educated in the arts by dedicated and talented teachers. You are invited to see their incredible talent!

One of the teachers’ works that will be displayed is Shelby County High School’s art teacher Laura Alvord. Alford has taught for more than 22 years, 14 at SCHS, where she teaches Art I-IV and AP Studio Art. She received her BFA from the University of Illinois and her ME from the University of Montevallo.

Alford’s personal artwork specializes primarily 2-D with emphasis on painting in acrylic, oil and watercolor along with mixed media, drawing and printmaking.

“Most public school teachers will tell you that after helping students with their artwork all day long … they have little time, energy or focus to do their own work when they get home,” said Alvord. “Snippets of time, perhaps on the weekend and the summer, can offer some opportunities to explore their own ideas and creativity. The Director’s Invitational is a chance to display those efforts and provide art teachers with a goal for personal productivity in their chosen medium. Last year’s show was very professional and enjoyed by all. It was an excellent opportunity for students to see that their teachers not only teach, but ‘do.’”

Alvord grew up in Virginia and Illinois with schools that offered strong art programs. Art has been an important part of her life both in school and out. As a teenager, Alvord would take a suitcase of art supplies to babysitting jobs and would teach art to her charges. Her chosen profession was apparent even then.

“I am fortunate to be able to work with high school students at Shelby County High School,” said Alvord. “Art is something I love, but it’s the students that I truly love. They are why I enjoy going to work every day. I am very glad to see that Shelby County values the arts and has seen to it that visual art is available to all children at all levels in the system. “

Come visit Shelby County’s art teachers personal work on display from Jan. 12-Feb. 23 at the SCAC Gallery in Columbiana.

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.