The Eleanor R. and Robert A. DeVries Gallery is located in the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center on KCC’s North Avenue campus in Battle Creek. It houses many different works of art from local artists as well as members of the faculty of KCC.
You might wonder, as I did, how do these artists get their work presented there? I reached out to several people to find this out for myself. I spoke with the Gallery Coordinator and Graphic Design Professor Penny Rose as well as two artists who have recently had their work presented.
The process of getting your work shown in the gallery can be long and arduous. The gallery coordinator does a lot of research on artists in the area before reaching out to offer an exhibition. This can sometimes take one to two years before the work is scheduled for viewing. Also, if an artist wishes to have their work displayed, they are invited to submit a link to their portfolio at the Davidson Center office.
If one does not wish to create a personal exhibit, students who have taken an art class at KCC are invited to participate in the yearly student show and submit up to four pieces of their work.
“Over 100 pieces are exhibited in the gallery representing the last year’s growth and creativity of our students,” Rose said. “And prizes in every category and a Best of Show are given, thanks to the Petersen fund and the KCC Foundation. We love this exhibit. And it often is our students’ first foray into exhibiting.”
This show also teaches students and artists about matting, framing and presenting their art. This is a great way to celebrate the students and a great resource into how the gallery works.
Coordinating an exhibit is a very lengthy process, as well. The artist works closely with the gallery coordinator to determine which pieces will be shown. A fair amount of work goes into prepping the pieces, marketing and attending the reception, then taking it all down again at the end.
“Professional, high-quality images of their pieces will be needed for marketing,” Rose said. “The work all needs to be ready for hanging, which often involves professional level framing and matting. The work needs to be packaged and delivered to the gallery and hanging arranged.”
I also reached out to KCC Art Professor Heather Stratton, whose exhibit, “Lunatic Fringe: Moon Studies,” is currently on display, and former exhibiting artist Jamari Taylor to ask about their experiences.
When asked about challenges or difficulties getting their work presented for viewing in the DeVries Gallery, Stratton said, “It was not difficult at all. Faculty regularly exhibit their work in the gallery either in the biennial faculty group show or solo shows less frequently. The rotation of including faculty solo shows depends on a variety of things, as the DeVries Gallery space is most often filled with work from our surrounding communities to showcase a wide breadth of diverse artists.”
Stratton went on to comment, “The purpose of planning this show is a way to introduce me to KCC as a practicing and exhibiting artist. Sometimes students don’t realize their professors are active within the disciplines they teach. This is a way for students to see firsthand how engaged with our practices we are.”
Taylor just wrapped up her own exhibit in the gallery not that long ago.
“As a young artist still reaching new heights, it was extremely difficult to get where I am today,” she said. “By learning different art techniques though an illustration program and finding my voice, and simply finding an audience that can not only be inspired by my craft but also be educated through my craft, has been quite the journey.”
“That being said,” Taylor continued, “getting 20 original pieces of artwork in the DeVries Gallery at Kellogg Community College was a dream come true and simply one of the blessings on my path that fell into my lap.”
Both artists also had very good advice for new artists hoping to get their work shown in the DeVries Gallery.
“Always look at the history and mission of a gallery before applying to make sure it is a good fit,” Stratton said. “You will have much greater success and acceptance rates by doing your research on where you are applying. Look at some of their recent shows to see what sort of art they show. Some places refuse certain art and others accept everything.”
Taylor said, “Being an artist is not an easy task. However, believing in yourself, never settling, continuing forward, networking, bettering your craft and showing your true character will always guide you in the right places. They will be on your path when you find your voice and stick with what your heart desires.”
All in all, the process of showing your work in the DeVries Gallery is a lengthy and involved process by both the artist and the person coordinating the event. If you wish to see Stratton’s work on display, it is available now till Dec. 13. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays. Admission is free.
