UPDATE - Campbellsville University's Pence-Chowning Art Gallery and Chowning Art Shop dedicated

By Linda Waggener and Drew Tucker, communications

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Chowning, center, with family members, along with CU administration, faculty, staff, trustees, members of the Patrons of the Visual Arts, and Art faculty at the ribbon cutting. (CU photo by Linda W)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (10/28/2014)(readMedia)-- Dr. Michael V. Carter, Campbellsville University president, thanked family members present at the recent dedication ceremony for the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery and Chowning Art Shop named in honor of those whose lead gifts made both developments possible.

"Dreams don't become realities unless there are resources," Carter said. "We are thankful that the Pence and Chowning family's heart was touched; God bless you all for allowing the Holy Spirit to touch and guide you."

"On behalf of my wife, Cathy, and myself, we are humbled to help in this way along with many others who have helped make this possible," Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said.

Linda J. Cundiff, chair of the Department of Art and professor of art, spoke about Campbellsville University's art department vision.

"Our vision for the art department is to update our curriculum to meet the changing needs of our students," she said. "With a career-ready degree for our students, it will make us very competitive with others and we will quickly grow as a regional arts center."

Cundiff said in addition to the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery, Chowning Art Shop, Susan Kirkland-Tesseneer Art Studio and the Art Building, the department envisions a new structure that will connect with the rest of the art village.

"We will be able to move our 3D and graphics classes, and all will be close together so students and faculty can move easily between classes," she said.

She said she is grateful to the Pence-Chowning families because all money derived from sales goes back to the artist and art department.

Chowing said he and Cathy were honored to be at the dedication along with donors Henry and Sharon Lee and Barry and Margaret Bertram, and he thanked Otto and Pam Tennant, and all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the art shop a reality.

Henry Lee, CU Board of Trustee member and president/CEO of Taylor County Bank, said he and his wife Sharon were proud to be supporters for students and the citizens of the community.

The Art Shop is located at 503 N. Columbia Ave. in Campbellsville, with the Art Gallery across the street. It features various forms of artwork (including paintings, pottery, pottery, woodworking and more) created by CU faculty, staff, students and alumni. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and is sponsored by CU's Patrons of the Visual Arts.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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CUTLINES

RibbonCutting - Chowning, center, with family members, along with CU administration, faculty, staff, trustees, members of the Patrons of the Visual Arts, and Art faculty at the ribbon cutting. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)

Chownings - Dr. John Chowning, vice president for Church and External Relations and executive assistant to the president, and his wife, Cathy, were present for the ribbon cutting dedication for the Chowning Art Shop and Pence-Chowning Art Gallery, along with their family members. From left: front row – Kenzi England, grandchild; middle row - Jacey Milby, Haley England and Jacob Milby, grandchildren; back row - Jason England, director of the Big Maroon Club, son-in-law; Cathy; Kaleb Chowning, research and communications coordinator, son; and John. (Campbellsville University Photo by LindaWaggener)