Though ETSU will essentially be abandoned over the summer break, ETSU’s Slocumb and Tipton Galleries will be full of life.
The director of the galleries, Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, said they’re aiming to include a wider diversity of art in their summer program.
“We are in a region that is the least diverse in the country,” Contreras-Koterbay said. “We’re in the top 10 of the least diverse in the country…In Johnson City, we don’t actually feel that way because we have the university.”
“I feel like it’s a really great opportunity for us,” Contreras-Koterbay said. “ETSU is doing this leadership in the economic, educational development of the region anyway, but as a gallery, and with the arts, we want to contribute to that on the cultural and, in a way, economic development through art.”
To present high school artwork, Tipton Gallery will be hosting Providence High School’s annual exhibition from May 8-22, and Slocumb Galleries will be presenting University High School’s annual exhibition from May 15 -June 23.
From July 26-28, Tipton Gallery is going to present a diversity exhibition, ‘We Are Appalachia,’ that will include Hispanic, African, Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern art. ‘We Are Appalachia’ was chosen as the title because of the minority demographics that are prevalent in the region. While still in the planning process, Contreras-Koterbay is very excited for the community to come together to share their experience through art.
She said “Ni De Aqui, Ni De Alla” was a huge success in the community. During the Corazon Latino festival in downtown Johnson City, many people stopped in to view the Latin-American artwork being presented in Tipton Gallery.
Contreras-Koterbay said many people expressed their interest in learning more about Latin-American art. In response, she wishes to take some of the pieces from the “Ni De Aqui” and include them into the diversity exhibition before placing “Ni De Aqui” in the Multicultural Center in August.
From July 24-Aug. 23, Slocumb Galleries is also going to present “Artful Aging: Photography.” Sponsored by the Johnson City Public Library, the reception will be held Aug. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This exhibition is going to showcase senior citizen artwork in order to represent a demographic that tends to be overlooked, Contreras-Koterbay said.
Internships are offered for students too. In the summer, Contreras-Koterbay will accept prospective students wanting to gain experience in the world of art, including organizing events and curating exhibitions. June, July and August sessions are offered for students, as well as full semester internships.
