NFCC Welcomes Taylor County Educator and Artist Jeff Byers for February Reception and Artist Talk

Taylor County Artist and Educator Jeff Byers at NFCC Reception and Artist TalkMadison FL - North Florida Community College's Art Department welcomed Taylor County educator and artist Jeff Byers to the NFCC Hardee Center for the Arts Monday, February 6, 2017 for a special Reception and Artist Talk as a part of their February exhibit featuring work from Byers' "Art of the Art Educator" collection.

During the reception Byers answered questions from students and talked about his experiences as an artist and an educator, as well as offered insight on what inspires him and many of his works.

"If it wasn't for my students there would be no art here. This is all made for the benefit of my students so they can do the art that they do and hopefully do something with it." Said Byers, "The direction I would like to see them move towards is one where they are successful in art".

Jeff Byers currently teaches art at Taylor County High School and has been teaching fine art since 1999 as a Florida K-12 Certified Art Teacher. His curriculum includes ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, digital photography and art history. He has a BFA in Interior Design with a minor in Art History from the University of Houston. He later earned a masters degree in Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

"It was a pleasure having local artist and educator Jeff Byers here to share his talent and artistic experience with the campus and community." Said NFCC Art Instructor and Gallery Director Lisa Thompson, "I'm always encouraging my students to find what inspires them and Mr. Byers really helped emphasize that".

Jeff Byers' exhibit "Art of the Art Educator" is on display now in the NFCC Hardee Center for the Arts throughout the month of February.

Gallery hours for Spring 2017 are Monday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. as well as Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Group tours are available upon request.

For more information or to schedule a tour contact NFCC Art Instructor and Gallery Director Lisa Thompson at ThompsonL@nfc.edu or by phone at 850.973.1642.

Photo Caption - Back Row (l-r): Tabatha Anderson (Madison), Matthew King (Madison), Amanda Fittje (Taylor), Dorothy Lacey (Madison), Sarinah Anthony (Taylor), Amy Rosmini (Jefferson), Maggie Hanson (Taylor), Patricia Grosskopf (Madison), Brittany Wilkes (Madison), Tyler Burnett (Madison), Jennifer Sullivan (Taylor) Front Row (l-r): Featured Artist and Educator Jeff Byers (Taylor), NFCC Art Instructor Lisa Thompson (Madison), Katelyn Law (Lafayette), Teagan Dunn (Madison), Rachell Frank (Madison), Shanice Washington (Madison), Kimberly Ross (Madison)