Member Spotlight: Kelly CullumKelly Nelson is an artist and art educator who teaches art education, printmaking, and drawing at Longwood University. A member of VAEA’s Central Region and Higher Education Division, Nelson maintains an active studio practice alongside her work preparing and supporting future art educators. Her own creative practice reflects something we know well within VAEA: art educators continue to be artists, makers, and learners themselves.
Creating, Exhibiting & Inspiring
Nelson’s work, Breezy Dreams, recently earned Third Place in From the Ground Up: A Juried Printmaking Exhibition at Gallery5 in Richmond. Combining relief printmaking, drawing, and embroidery, the work was selected for an exhibition Nelson describes as particularly strong and filled with outstanding prints.
“I was happy to have my work selected for exhibition, let alone awarded,” Nelson shared.
The exhibition also provided an opportunity to connect her studio practice with Virginia’s larger creative community. Nelson encourages fellow art educators to visit Gallery5, a Richmond arts and music venue that provides a space for artists, exhibitions, performances, and creative experiences.
Why It Matters
Art educators spend so much of their time encouraging students to experiment, take creative risks, develop ideas, and share their work with others. Maintaining our own creative practices gives us the opportunity to experience those same challenges and rewards as artists. Exhibiting work, entering juried shows, learning new processes, and simply making for ourselves can reconnect us with the experiences we ask of our students every day.
Nelson hopes her spotlight encourages more VAEA members to share what they are creating: “I would love to see artwork created by our art teachers and hope you will post images of your work.”
We would, too. VAEA members are educators—and artists. We hope to share more of your creative work through future Member Spotlights.
Learn More
Gallery5 is an arts and music venue located in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. Visit Gallery5 to learn more about its exhibitions, events, and programming.
Featured artwork: Kelly Nelson, Breezy Dreams, relief print, drawing, and embroidery.
Creating, Exhibiting & Inspiring
Nelson’s work, Breezy Dreams, recently earned Third Place in From the Ground Up: A Juried Printmaking Exhibition at Gallery5 in Richmond. Combining relief printmaking, drawing, and embroidery, the work was selected for an exhibition Nelson describes as particularly strong and filled with outstanding prints.
“I was happy to have my work selected for exhibition, let alone awarded,” Nelson shared.
The exhibition also provided an opportunity to connect her studio practice with Virginia’s larger creative community. Nelson encourages fellow art educators to visit Gallery5, a Richmond arts and music venue that provides a space for artists, exhibitions, performances, and creative experiences.
Why It Matters
Art educators spend so much of their time encouraging students to experiment, take creative risks, develop ideas, and share their work with others. Maintaining our own creative practices gives us the opportunity to experience those same challenges and rewards as artists. Exhibiting work, entering juried shows, learning new processes, and simply making for ourselves can reconnect us with the experiences we ask of our students every day.
Nelson hopes her spotlight encourages more VAEA members to share what they are creating: “I would love to see artwork created by our art teachers and hope you will post images of your work.”
We would, too. VAEA members are educators—and artists. We hope to share more of your creative work through future Member Spotlights.
Learn More
Gallery5 is an arts and music venue located in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. Visit Gallery5 to learn more about its exhibitions, events, and programming.
Featured artwork: Kelly Nelson, Breezy Dreams, relief print, drawing, and embroidery.