By Mary Wymer
The Kristin Michelle Mason Art Gallery at Beacon College is hosting a summer exhibition uniting the creative talents of the Color Pencil Painters Guild (CPPG) and promising Beacon College student artists. This collaborative exhibit showcases exceptional artistry and supports the growth of young artists through a generous scholarship donation by the CPPG to the studio arts department at Beacon College.
“We are thrilled to bring together the extraordinary talents of the Color Pencil Painters Guild and the students of Beacon College,” said Dustin Boise, Kristin Michelle Mason Gallery Director and associate professor of studio arts. “This exhibition not only showcases the incredible artwork but also highlights the importance of supporting young artists. We are immensely grateful to the CPPG for their generous scholarship donation, which will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the lives of these aspiring artists.”
For this exhibition, the young artists supported include three Beacon students: Jonah Bienhoff, Camille McKoy, and Henri Penther, whose eclectic works show the vibrancy and skill of practitioners who favor the medium.
“Colored pencils have been around forever, but, they have not been recognized as a fine art medium, Cecile Baird, author of Painting Light with Colored Pencil, recently told NPR station 91.7 WVXU. “Everybody thinks they’re for kids or for coloring, or drawing and sketching and that sort of thing, but not fine art.”
The Color Pencil Painters Guild, comprised of highly skilled artists from The Villages community, has earned a reputation for their mastery of color pencil techniques. Their contributions to the exhibition showcase an impressive array of intricate and vibrant artwork that exemplifies the medium. In addition to the CPPG pieces, the inclusion of artwork from Beacon College students creates a unique dynamic, providing established artists with the opportunity to mentor and inspire the next generation of artistic talent.
The CPPG’s commitment to nurturing emerging artists is further exemplified by its generous scholarship donation to Beacon College’s Studio Arts department. This scholarship fund will provide invaluable support to up-and-coming artists in the program, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in their creative journeys.
The exhibition will culminate in a special reception in the gallery on July 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. offering attendees an opportunity to engage with the artists, gain insights into their creative processes, and appreciate the depth and beauty of the showcased artwork.