Former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (DA) students Ali Isabelle, Brian Shannon and Kathryn D'Elia presented their work for the first DA Alumni Exhibition at The Carling during a recent downtown Art Walk. The exhibit was sponsored by the DA Visual Arts Department and the Vestcor Companies.
Many current and former students, as well as teachers, family and community members, attended the show, praising the artists for their work.
Ali Isabelle, who graduated in 1998, is currently a professional artist and art teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary. Her exhibit featured the series "Houses" which are acrylic paintings on canvas.
Isabelle says she gained a lot of experience and knowledge while attending DA.
"Douglas Anderson has played an important role in shaping the Jacksonville art community. I am glad I had the opportunity to attend, and I believe that it has had an enormous impact on my art career."
Brian Shannon, who currently works as a graphic designer, graduated in 2003. His exhibit featured portraits and mythological subjects, which inspire most of his work.
"Whenever a memory, a story or an idea has been particularly strong in my mind, I've always had an urge to draw it or recreate it in some way. It's in my hard-wiring."
Shannon said his years at DA taught him how to give his work substance and how to challenge himself as an artist. "I learned that you have to be absolutely committed to your art. If you're not, in time you'll find yourself living a very ordinary life."
Kathryn D'Elia graduated from DA in 2008 and is now a painting major at Flagler College. Her exhibit features a collection of oil paintings of figures and self-portraits. She credits DA for providing her with a fantastic background of art history and all the basic knowledge she needs about art making.
“Now, when my professors tell me what I need to do, I already know how to do it.”
The art work of current students will be on display in the DA Gallery, located at 2445 San Diego Road, during the art shows listed below. All shows are free and open to the public.
- Montage Exhibition, December 11, 2008 - January 30, 2009
- Extravaganza Encore Exhibition, February 12, 2009 - February 27, 2009
- Rising Star Exhibition, March 5, 2009 - April 9, 2009
- Senior Show Exhibition, April 16, 2009 - May 1, 2009
For more information about the alumni exhibition at Art Walk, the exhibitions of student art at the DA Gallery or to schedule interviews, please contact Carolyn Broughton at 904-742-9200 or
webmaster@davisualarts.com. For more information about Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, visit
www.davisualarts.com.
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