SKYCTC opens new Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation Art Gallery
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A vision that began more than a decade ago with two display cases and a request for more space to showcase student artwork became a reality Sept. 16 when Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) celebrated the opening of the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation Art Gallery.
The new gallery represents a long-term effort to create a permanent exhibition space for SKYCTC student artists while also providing a venue for local and regional artists and expanding cultural opportunities for the community.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday at the new gallery on the SKYCTC campus, marking the official opening of the space.
“The arts are important, not only for the students here at the college but for all of us,” said Katherine Sikora, Executive Director of the LGT Charitable Foundation. “Some people think the arts don’t touch them – the arts touch everyone and make our world a better place to live in. Connecting the arts with education is absolutely a no-brainer.”
The gallery provides SKYCTC students with an opportunity to experience the professional side of exhibiting artwork while creating another cultural resource for the Southcentral Kentucky community.
“The SKYCTC Art Gallery is another example of how we can create opportunities for our students while strengthening our connection to the community,” said SKYCTC Chancellor Michelle Trawick. “This space gives our students a professional environment to showcase their creativity and gives our community another place to experience exceptional art. We are excited to see the opportunities it will create for our students, artists and region.”
The new gallery is supported by a $100,000 endowment from the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation, helping establish a permanent resource for the college and community.
“We are deeply grateful to celebrate this amazing gift from the LGT Charitable Foundation,” said SKYCTC Vice Chancellor of Resource Development Heather Rogers. “This $100,000 endowment does so much more than place a name on a wall—it brings life to a permanent space where our students and our community can gather, connect and be inspired. Art has a unique way of bringing people together, and this generous support ensures our gallery will remain a welcoming, vibrant home for local artists and students for generations to come. The LGTC Foundation shares our heart for this community, and we are honored to partner with them in making the arts accessible to everyone right here at SKYCTC.”
The gallery is designed to serve as both a professional exhibition space for artists and a learning opportunity for SKYCTC students. Students can gain firsthand experience in presenting, promoting and engaging with artwork in a gallery setting while developing an appreciation for the role the arts play in the community.
The gallery will feature rotating exhibitions showcasing the work of SKYCTC students and artists from across the region, providing visitors with opportunities to experience a variety of artistic styles and perspectives.
The opening of the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation Art Gallery represents a significant milestone in SKYCTC’s commitment to the arts and provides a permanent home for creativity, education and community engagement on campus.
