| ALEXANDER’S
BELLA BLU ART SHOW MONTHLY
AND GALLERY
ST. THOMAS
Present
Highlights from
The School of Visual Arts and Careers
Alexander’s Bella Blu
Art Show Monthly and art show coordinator Gallery St. Thomas
present “Highlights from the School of Visual Arts and
Careers” on Friday, May 21 at an opening reception from
5:00 to 7:00 pm at the restaurant in Frenchtown, St. Thomas.
The artwork on display was created
by students from The School of Visual Arts and Careers (SVAC).
This exhibit is one of the season’s most popular Art
Show Monthly’s because it highlights the talents of
young Virgin Islanders. This exhibit features 24 pieces of
art, in a variety of media including watercolor, pastel and
acrylic. The participants are Joselyn Allen, Tony
Bongiovi, Cosima Buckhalton, Jasmine Francis, Ashton Frett,
Fianna Fluess, Tachelle Newton, Shamal Phipps, Solomon Webson,
and Jared Woods.
SVAC is a 21-year old
after-school and summer program for artistically talented
high school students. Students receive broad-based
training in the fine arts, gain exposure to the numerous career
options here in St. Thomas and work to develop a worthy portfolio
for art-college entrance or professional employment. The 501(c)3
non-profit program is funded in part by the Virgin Islands
Council on the Arts (VICA), local contributors and corporate
donations. The program has been a past recipient of Law Enforcement
Planning Commission (LEPC) and National Endowment of the Arts
(NEA) grants.
Program Director Phebe Schwartz
Davis and artist Edie P. Johnson direct and coordinate SVAC
activities. This year, artist John Chinnery held special workshops
on techniques in colored pencil. Each instructor will also
exhibit a piece of artwork in the show.
According to Schwartz Davis,
one of the most satisfying aspects to SVAC has been, “Seeing
the incredibly, talented and motivated kids really blossom
under the individualized programming.” “More importantly,”
states Schwartz Davis, “It is seeing them go on into
further education and visual arts related jobs. Their achievement
and success speaks well of the program and the Virgin Islands.”
Recent graduates are enrolled at The Art Institute of Fort
Lauderdale, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of
Central Florida, and Savannah College of Art and Design, to
name a few. Included in the list of SVAC graduates are Denise
Humphrey, Technical Director at Reichhold Center; David Hill,
recent graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, Leslie University;
Selene Van Beverhoudt, web and graphic designer with Artisian
Design and Communications and Roshini Nibbs, art director
for Anheuser-Busch including Busch Gardens.
The program was established
in 1983 and until recently has been located in Fort Christian.
With Fort Christian undergoing renovations, the school is
in need of a new home. “Finding a new home is our top
priority this summer. In order to maintain the integrity of
the 21-year old program, it is imperative that we find a place
to call home.” To assist in the relocation of SVAC or
to recommend a student to the program, please contact Phebe
Schwartz Davis at 775-2739.
Alexander’s Bella Blu
in Frenchtown presents Art Show Monthly featuring Highlights
from The School of Visual Arts and Careers at the opening
reception on Friday May 21 from 5-7pm. Most of the pieces
of artwork will be for sale with the proceeds benefiting the
individual students.
To collect one of the SVAC pieces
contact the gallery at art@gallerystthomas.com
or call toll free 877.797.6363 or 340.777.6363.
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Voted
"Best of the V.I. 2004"
Overall Winner
for
Local Artwork |
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