Mount Mercy Academy holds dedication of new art gallery

After years of putting art on lockers, tables, and anywhere else that would hold a painting, Mount Mercy Academy finally has a gallery to showcase student talent.

“We have a lack of display space in the school, so we can’t nail things on the wall,” said MMA Art teacher, Jennifer Licata. “We were constantly looking for a place to hang things for a long period of time and the principal said as long as we do all of the work, and do all the painting, we could have it.”

Licata and fellow art teacher, Jackie Welch, found a special unused space in the school that they thought would be perfect for a gallery. Welch said out of her 20 years working for MMA, she wanted a gallery for 19 of them. Now that her dream has come true, the gallery will act as a learning environment for students, and be the home of many art shows. Students will have a place to showcase their work, without having to worry about where to put it.

“It’s great to have a space for the students to have a place for their work, and we work our classes around it,” said Welch. “Our students go in there and view the work and talk about it. They can also pick out their favorite work, and write a letter to the artist.”

Thankfully, development of the art gallery did not cost the teachers any money. The white paint for the walls was donated, and they had a few volunteers to help put the site together. The gallery is also an extension of the library, so students can view the work from the library, while they study.

At 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, MMA held a dedication of the St. Catherine Art Gallery and Alumnae Show. The campus ministers were on hand to do a prayer, and the principle, and president of the school, blessed the room.

Art included 15 pieces of work from MMA alumni; there is even a painting from a student who graduated in 1963.

“A lot of them are currently working in the field of art. We have some really nice photography work. It’s just from all different years, different photography, and different media.”

The St. Cathering Art Gallery is open to the public; all they have to do is gain entry to the school. The gallery is open Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about MMA visit www.mtmercy.org