LUMBERTON — An art teacher at Lumberton High School was recently selected for a two-week residency program in New York.

Jessica Clark, a native of Rowland, is one of three painters picked for the second annual Golden Educators Residency. The contest is a partnership between acrylic paint manufacturer Golden Artist Colors and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a nonprofit that oversees the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Although she found out about her win in May, Clark wasn’t allowed to share the embargoed announcement until earlier this month.

“I couldn’t believe it when they called me at work,” she said. “I was extremely excited.”

In addition to the residency, Clark will receive a $1,000 gift certificate for paints from Golden Artist Colors. The contest was open to teachers whose students were recognized at this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards ceremony.

The awards are overseen by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Clark became eligible after Richard Washington Jr., an 18-year-old artist who just graduated from Lumberton High School, received a gold medal for one of his paintings.

“She definitely helped me out a lot,” Washington said. “I came to her with the idea for the artwork and she was definitely a big influence.”

Clark says she considers her classroom a source of creative inspiration — and not just for the students.

“I like that I get to create along with the students,” she said. “They inspire my artwork, too. I get to try different materials along with them and I get to experiment.”

A member of the Lumbee Tribe, Clark’s cultural heritage figures prominently into her work. Many of her paintings depict ordinary moments in the lives of American Indians.

“The colors are really saturated and bright,” she said. “I love color, so that’s always something that people mention when they see my work.”

Her art has been displayed at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia and the Blue Gallery and Galerie Pfriem in Lacoste, France.

“My works document and preserve the everyday life of the Lumbee people, along with other members of Southeastern Native American tribes,” Clark said in an artist’s statement. “They are from my perspective … and depict the people, places and events specific to us.”

Other painters participating in the Golden Educators Residency are Isaac AlaridPease, who is an art teacher in Albuquerque, and Brian Wilson, who teaches art in Charlotte. During their stay in New York, the winners will tour the Golden Artist Colors factory in New Berlin.

According to Clark, the artists will also take part in “demonstrations and workshops” and “spend time in the studio” during their residency.

“Golden Artist Colors is to be commended for making this exceptional opportunity available to outstanding educators,” said Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. “We were most impressed by the quality of the applications we received this year… . We are privileged to have this moment to show our appreciation for their efforts in the classroom as well as our respect for their work as artists.”

Washington, who will be the subject of an upcoming profile in The Robesonian, applauded the alliance’s decision to pick Clark for the program.

“She definitely earned it,” he said.

Courtesy photo • Jessica Clark paints ordinary moments in the lives of American Indians with her Lumbee Family Values series.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_11060861_1028864040471055_7372903295383861174_n.jpgCourtesy photo • Jessica Clark paints ordinary moments in the lives of American Indians with her Lumbee Family Values series.

Courtesy photo • A painting from Jessica Clark’s series, Lumbee Family Values.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_11822555_1028864030471056_1306570071723218547_n.jpgCourtesy photo • A painting from Jessica Clark’s series, Lumbee Family Values.

By Jaymie Baxley • [email protected]

Features editor Jaymie Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5771 or by email at [email protected]