Kirtland Foundation Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Kirtland Art Gallery Honoring the Grayling Promotional Association
The Kirtland Foundation held a momentous ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Kirtland Fall Student Art Show to officially unveil the newly named Kirtland Art Gallery in honor of the Grayling Promotional Association (GPA) on December 16. The event, held on Kirtland Community College’s Grayling campus, celebrated a past GPA donation, which has since played a pivotal role in enhancing art education and creative expression in the region.
“This evening is about partnerships and community support. The Kirtland Foundation is grateful to the GPA for all they do in our community and thankful they choose to impact the lives of Kirtland students. We are honored that 11 ladies from the GPA were able to make it to the ribbon cutting to celebrate this milestone,” said Kirtland Foundation Director Heather Appold.
The ceremony brought together Kirtland faculty and students, members of the Grayling community, and representatives from the GPA. With a shared mission of fostering creativity and innovation, the partnership between the Kirtland Foundation and the GPA exemplifies the power of collaboration to strengthen community ties and support educational excellence.
The Kirtland Art Gallery’s naming marks a tribute to the GPA’s vision and generosity. The Grayling Promotional Association contributed a donation to support the college’s art and cultural programs. This contribution has since supported students pursuing education in the fine arts.
“GPA wanted to support Kirtland bringing new business to the Grayling area and the opportunities it would provide to the residents,” said GPA President Sally Freeman, “We are pleased to continue to offer this Gallery for aspiring art students to share their talents with the public. We are proud to know we play a part in encouraging those who choose to follow the arts for their future.”
The Kirtland Art Gallery stands as a beacon of inspiration for students. The facility includes:
- Dedicated areas for student and community exhibitions.
- A showcase for students to present their work in a professional environment.
- Showcase of state and national renowned artists for student inspiration.
Scott Rice, Kirtland Fine Arts and Graphic Design Instructor, reflected on the day’s ceremony: “We never had a gallery at the old campus. Having this here, will mean students will walk past it every day on their way to class and be inspired by the work that is on display.”
The day’s festivities began with the opening of the Kirtland Fall Student Art Show, showcasing the facility’s state-of-the-art spaces and pieces of work completed by currently enrolled students. Attendees were exposed to a range of artwork, including realism paintings, graphic design, fashion design, and photography.
Immediately following the opening of the Fall Student Art Show, the ribbon-cutting ceremony itself featured remarks by Appold, who underscored the importance of community members and organizations donations. A plaque commemorating the GPA’s contribution was unveiled, and a ceremonial ribbon was cut.
The Kirtland Foundation expressed gratitude to all who made the ceremony possible and emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting education.
“Because of the GPA the Kirtland Foundation is able to award scholarships to deserving students pursuing their education dreams,” said Appold. “It truly does take a community to support students and we are thankful for this partnership.”
To learn more about the Kirtland Foundation, visit https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/
About Kirtland Community College
Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.
About the Kirtland Foundation
As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Kirtland Foundation raises money from private donors, local businesses, alumni and more, then allocates funds in the form of scholarships and grants to Kirtland Community College students and faculty and staff. https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/
