Macy Gallery, part of the Art and Art Education Program at Teachers College, welcomed Kevin Soltau as its new Gallery Director in September 2006. Soltau, an art education master’s candidate, recently announced Macy’s spring exhibition schedule.

With Bank Street College for Children teacher Ann-Marie Mott serving as curator, Macy Gallery will exhibit, “Early Childhood Art from Bank Street School,” January 20 through February 16, with a reception February 2.

The show contains children’s art work that demonstrates the exploration and control of material and color, and the progression to planned designs and early representation, Mott says.

“We are using the show as a teaching resource because it exemplifies some of the best teaching practices in the City,” says Professor Judith Burton, Director of the Art and Art Education Program. “The work in the show reveals the flow of very early artistic development and it is important for our education students to see this as a model for the kinds of accomplishments they might expect from their own teaching.”

TC has a long standing relationship with Bank Street, having hosted exhibitions of the Bank Street students’ artwork for the past 10 years, while Bank Street offers TC art education students opportunities for classroom observations and student teaching experience—not to mention a history of hiring TC Art Education alumni.

This year, Macy Gallery will continue exhibiting artworks by national and international artists, graduate students and faculty members, as well as children’s works, Soltau says. Macy’s next show will be curated by doctoral candidate Dana Frantz and will exhibit children’s work from TC’s Rita Gold Center, opening February 19.

Soltau says, “Macy will continue to present a wide range of exhibitions from around the world to reflect the commitment of TC to the diversity of our community and the student body through education and the arts.”

Macy’s exhibition program includes an international photography show, curated by the internationally known artist Maurizio Pellegrin who joined TC’s Art Education faculty in September 2006. “We are making Macy a professional gallery, expanding the showcase of work from our students and their students, to including international artists as well. A lot of people seem to be in awe of the time and care we take in making a gallery not just for the TC community, but for people outside TC,” Soltau says.

Soltau hopes the newly renovated floor and painted walls will entice the public to visit Macy and then “look and learn about art education through our exhibitions.”

Other shows this year will include artwork by special needs individuals, a group of Iranian artists and a group of Thai folk artists. Exhibitions are often curated by students and faculty within the Art Education Program, providing unique opportunities for curatorial experience.

Macy Gallery is located on the fourth floor of Macy Hall and is open Monday through Friday 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and by appointment.

Published Monday, Jan. 22, 2007