NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — “Community of Educators” is the theme of the exhibition by local art teachers in January that kicks off the 2017 monthly art gallery series at Penn State New Kensington.

The show runs from Jan. 6 to 26 and features artwork by art teachers throughout western Pennsylvania. The instructors will showcase their artistic talents with a multimedia exhibit that includes paintings, photographs and sculptures.

A reception for the artists is slated from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, in the art gallery. The exhibit and reception are free to the public. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Kathleen Guglielmi, an art teacher at St. Joseph High School, and Christy Culp, an art teacher at Deer Lakes High School, organized the project. Both exhibited last year in the gallery.

“It is exciting to see all the unique and talented teachers we have in the Pittsburgh area,” said Guglielmi, who has been teaching art for four years. “We all have the same job, but our individuality comes out in our personal artwork. It is such a special show to celebrate the artwork of teachers.”

With a love of drawing that manifested itself in kindergarten, Guglielmi was inspired to pursue a teaching career by her mother, her mentor and an educator. From a young age, Guglielmi knew that teaching would be her vocation.

“Art was something that I enjoyed and felt talented in, so I went into art education,” said Guglielmi, who holds a bachelor’s in art education from Penn State and a master’s in art education from Carlow University. “I love every minute of being an art teacher; it is more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”

When she is not teaching, Guglielmi is involved with her craft. Working mainly in oil and acrylic, Guglielmi specializes in landscapes. She also works in fiber arts and her piece, “Natatorium, 2012,” a mixed media sculpture, was selected for the cover of Carlow’s “Graduate Colloquium” in April 2016.

“Art has always been an outlet for self-expression and creation,” Guglielmi said. “In high school, I took every art class possible so I could spend the day thinking, making and talking about art. It was so much fun, and I still feel that way today.”

The Oakmont resident has exhibited her work at two juried shows — the Zoller Gallery at her alma mater in State College and the L.S. Hoffman Gallery in Munhall.

"As art educators, we wear many hats," Guglielmi said. "We are teachers, students, artists, advocates, mentors and whatever else we take on in our daily lives. The Community of Educators exhibition allows us to display our artist side. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our own work when we dedicate our lives to showcasing our students’ art."

The show is sponsored by the Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium, an organization of local educators dedicated to bringing performing and visual artists to area students. Tammy Hampshire is president of the organization. For more information, email Kathleen Guglielmi or Christy Culp.

To view the exhibit, visit Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium Photo Gallery.