About the DG Guest Curator

My Palette Avery Lam
Avery Lam
Avery Lam

Avery Lam is a visual arts teacher here at Downing-Gross. Avery was born in South Korea and moved to the Hampton Roads area in 2015. Along with a lifetime appreciation of Art, Avery was fascinated in exploring different aspects of human interaction through lenses of history, psychology, and social studies and found that teaching was all encompassing of her interests. She holds two Bachelor's degrees in Secondary Education—one in Fine Arts and one in French—from Korea National University of Education (한국교원대학교, 韓國敎員大學校). In 2005 she studied abroad as an exchange student at Hunan Normal University (湖南师范大学) in China. She is also certified by the Ministry of Education in South Korea. Avery teaches not just as a profession but as a community mission. Her teaching style is structured in art education while keeping a community centered practice. Through teaching art Avery has made a lifelong commitment to nurturing creativity, building community, and inspiring confidence and expression in others.

About the Exhibit

“My Palette: Above and Beyond” returns! This annual exhibition features the artwork of students from a private art tutoring program in the Hampton Roads area. What began years ago as a small art class within a local Korean church has grown into a dedicated learning community, where students of all ages pursue their passion for art.

Students explore a wide range of artistic practices, including drawing, watercolor, acrylic painting, mixed media, and studies inspired by classical Western masterpieces, contemporary works, and Asian cultural themes. By engaging with both heritage-inspired subjects and broader artistic traditions, they connect their creative practice to personal experience and everyday life. The exhibition highlights diverse styles and individual voices, and each piece reflects steady technical growth as well as thoughtful self-expression.

This group represents a range of backgrounds, generations, and life experiences, and art has become a meaningful way for them to build confidence, express individuality, and share their perspectives.

“My Palette: Above and Beyond” is more than an exhibition; it is a celebration of a community united by passion, dedication, and a shared love of art.

Related Programming:

Closing Reception:

The exhibition is on display May 18-30, 2026, with a closing reception on 5/30/26 from 1-3pm. Come and celebrate the art with the artists! Free and open to the public. Light refreshments served.

Featured Artists:

Abigail Oh | Anna Kim | Caleb Kil | Chase Lam | Chloe Lee | Claire Kim | Ellie Lee | Enoch Kil | Hannah Zhang | Iris Kim | Jason Oh | Jeeah Lee | Jeong Grewatz | Mason Kim | Mikaila Lee | Noelle Kil | Peter Moon | Rachel Zhang | Sarah Stough | Serena Jeon | Skylar Huang | Sooah Lee

Artwork on Display & Reception Images: