Inspiring Young Artists for Over Two Decades

Henderson’s Gifted and Talented Art Program

Photo by Whitney Phelps Photography + Design

For more than 26 years, Kim McGrew-Liggett has been dedicated to fostering young artistic talent in Henderson County through the Gifted and Talented Art Program. With a passion for art education, McGrew-Liggett has worked to provide selected students with the opportunity to explore their creativity, refine their skills, and showcase their work in the annual Art Expo.

The program, which spans across all of Henderson County’s elementary schools, invites students to submit portfolios for selection. A committee then evaluates the submissions and chooses students to participate in a series of specialized art classes. Traditionally, McGrew-Liggett hosted these sessions at the John James Audubon Museum, where she served as Art Administrator for 24 years. After retiring, she transitioned the classes to Gallery 101 in downtown Henderson, where she continues to teach and inspire.

This year, the program accommodated 69 students, with 46 fourth and fifth graders and 23 sixth and seventh graders. The classes are divided into groups, ensuring each student gets hands-on experience with various artistic techniques and mediums. The younger students work with pastels, oil pastels, graphite, tempera paint, and watercolor, while older students explore more advanced techniques such as acrylic painting on canvas.

McGrew-Liggett places emphasis on artistic growth, incorporating self-portrait exercises each year so students can compare their progress over time. Other projects have included landscapes, birds, llamas, owls, and even beach scenes, with each piece serving as a stepping stone in the students’ artistic development.

Beyond skill-building, the program has a profound impact on students’ confidence and self-expression. “A lot of students learn differently,” McGrew-Liggett explains. “Art enhances their creativity, helps them express themselves, and builds their self-esteem. For some, it provides a necessary outlet that they may not get through other subjects.”

Each year, the program finishes with the annual Art Expo, now dubbed “The Jill Alexander Memorial Art Expo,” a large-scale exhibition showcasing every piece created by the students. Historically held at the Audubon Museum in December, the event has since moved to Gallery 101 and is now hosted in March. The Art Expo draws a significant crowd, as parents, teachers, and community members gather to admire the students’ hard work throughout the program. McGrew-Liggett estimates that the event attracts upwards of 150–200 attendees, filling the gallery space with excitement and appreciation for the young artists’ efforts.

McGrew-Liggett’s dedication to art education extends beyond the Gifted and Talented program. In addition to her decades-long commitment to gifted art students, she also spent nearly 20 years organizing arts and music festivals for special needs students, an experience she holds dear. “My heart and passion lie in the arts,” she says. “I love teaching students everything I can, and seeing their pride in their work is incredibly rewarding.”

Though she no longer runs the special needs festival, her impact on the arts community remains profound. The Gifted and Talented Art Program continues to grow under her leadership, ensuring that young artists in Henderson have a place to learn, create, and grow.

As the upcoming Art Expo approaches, McGrew-Liggett looks forward to another successful year of showcasing student talent. Her commitment to the program serves as a testament to the power of art education and its ability to shape young minds, providing them with skills and confidence that will last a lifetime.

The Jill Alexander Memorial Art Expo, named in honor of our late Gifted Coordinator Jill Alexander, an extraordinary lady who worked diligently to bring opportunities to the GT students for years, took place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Gallery 101, located at 101 Water Street in Henderson from 5-6:30 PM.

Friends, Family and Faculty were invited to attend the annual event showcasing Henderson County Schools Gifted and Talented, 4th through 7th grade Art Students, who created a variety of amazing artwork using acrylic, tempera, color pencils, graphite, watercolor, pastels and more. They enjoyed sharing their pieces in this exciting Art Expo.