PRESTONSBURG Robert Daniels is no artist, but he knows enough to curate exhibitions.
His title is technical director at the Mountain Arts Center, but the public art gallery in the lobby on the MAC also falls under his duties. The goal of the gallery is to give artists in the region some exposure and get their names “out there.”
“The goal is to feature local artists, Central Appalachian artists,” Daniels said. “I want to feature good artists from anywhere, especially from here, people who need a little extra exposure. I just want people to get eyes on their work.”
The gallery highlights 10 local artists each year, one per month except January-February, because the MAC schedule is slower, “I don’t want to stiff anybody on getting eyes on their work.”
November-December are combined because the MAC is so busy.
“During those months, we are completely slammed,” he said. “I don’t really have time to change over to a new exhibit.”
Daniels said he also has had group exhibitions, but he likes solo exhibits.
“Everybody has their own taste about it and they have strong opinions about how something should look or sound or how their work should be. It goes with the territory,” he said.
Opened in 1996, the Mountain Arts Center seats more than 1,000 for shows, including national acts. There is a recording studio, arts education rooms, individual practice rooms and meeting rooms, and is just off U.S. 23 Country Music Highway. The education department offers individual instruction on piano, voice, violin/fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and visual arts.
Clearly, the MAC supports a variety of artists, and Daniels is well aware of that goal.
“We try to accommodate and promote all arts in some way,” he said, “We’re kind of music first and foremost and that goes back to the origin of the whole place, built on the goals of Billie Jean Osborne.”
The MAC’s Kentucky Opry, founded in 1990 by Osborne, has a cast of local performers offering shows throughout the year. There also is a Junior Pros, made up of performers ranging in age from 6 to 16, which works as a training ground for the Kentucky Opry.
Visual artists are a different breed, Daniels said.
“It’s solitary work and a lot of artists are working on their own schedule; for some, deadlines aren’t so much of a concern,” he said. “Some are more more organized than others as far as putting together an exhibit. That’s a different skill set.”
Daniels said he finds artists by word of mouth and sometimes artists approach him. He doesn’t run short, either.
“Sometimes it’s overwhelming with people reaching out to me,” he said. “Sometimes i get so much interest, I could almost run two galleries.”
No commission is taken by the MAC on sold works and there is no entry fee to the gallery.
For more information about the Mountain Arts Center and the MAC Art Gallery, call (606) 889-9125. Also visit MAC Art Gallery on Facebook.
