The Colors of Cambodia – Exhibition at the Creamery

John and William Gentry of Positronic Industries, Inc. in collaboration with the Springfield Regional Arts Council presents the artwork of “The Colors of Cambodia,” a not-for-profit art school and gallery in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Artwork from underprivileged students in the Siem Reap Province will be displayed in The Creamery Arts Center Exhibition Hall starting with a private preview auction on Saturday, October 1 and then open to the public starting First Friday Art Walk on October 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. thru October 28.

William Gentry, an American artist and a businessman raised in Springfield, was inspired by the artistic history of Cambodia and the innate creative skills of the Cambodian people when first visiting there in 2000. As a result, Gentry visited schools in Siem Reap and discovered that the children did not have the opportunity to create because of the lack of art materials and guidance.

In 2003, Gentry started the Colors of Cambodia in an effort to give children art supplies and instruction. As the organization grew, Gentry was able to hire art teachers and send them to teach at schools in the area.

Now, Colors of Cambodia teaches art to almost a thousand children every month in seven different schools. And at the Siem Reap gallery, kids are free to come and go as they please during numerous flowing art classes.

“It’s a pretty cool thing and I’m pretty proud of it. What these kids need is attention – that’s what they lack. That’s what I try to do in the project – give them hope and attention, “ says Gentry.

William D. Gentry is president of Positronic Asia Pte Ltd, based in Singapore. He also started a multimedia company which has produced a “wacky” independent movie called The Genius of Beauty, due to be released later this year. In addition to the children’s artwork, Gentry will display some of his own drawings and paintings at The Creamery Arts show.

After First Friday Art Walk, “The Colors of Cambodia” will be open to the public thru October 28, Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information on the exhibition, visit the Springfield Regional Arts Council website or call 417-862-2787. For more information about the program, go to the Colors of Cambodia website.

Here’s a video about a Colors of Cambodia field trip: