WKCTC names new dean at Paducah School of Art | News

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - Officials at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College announced Monday the name of the new dean of the Paducah School of Arts.

Veteran painter and photographer Paul Aho has been named dean.

A photography and digital imaging instructor at the school, Aho had been interim director since November 2011, when Harvey Shadow stepped down as director.

“Paul has actively worked with the architects on the design of new art facilities and shown, in many ways, the experience and talent he brings to the position,” said WKCTC President Barbara Veazey. “Paul clearly understands the vision of the program and is committed to building a strong arts program for our community.”

A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Aho has held administrative positions as chief program officer for the PalmBeach Photographic Centre; dean of the School of Art at the Armory Art Center and North American sales representative for International Fine Arts Expositions. He has also served as director of visual art services and public art programs for the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, Florida’s largest private cultural agency. Prior to moving to Kentucky, he was an adjunct professor of art at Florida Atlantic University from 2004 through 2010 and at Palm Beach Community College from 1980-1998.

Aho said he is delighted to have the opportunity to join others in bringing thePaducah School of Art to national prominence.

“I am greatly appreciative of the support of the College and the community at-large for the Paducah School of Art and its goals," he said. "With the opening of new facilities in the coming year and beyond, PSA will continue to expand and offer new and exciting programs for our traditional college students as well as others seeking to enhance their skills in a broad range of studio art practices.”

Aho added that the art school will assume a role as an anchor for Paducah's Lower Town Arts District, helping to realize and sustain that visionary project as well.

“It is a truly meaningful initiative that is destined to be a major asset and resource for West Kentucky. I am proud to contribute my skills and energy,” he said.

Aho was the first recipient of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council’s Ubertalli Award for Artistic Achievement and is a two-time recipient of the South Florida Cultural Consortium’s Visual and Media Artists Fellowship. Additionally, in 2010 he was awarded an individual artist’s fellowship from The Santo Foundation through an international call to artists. Aho graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Florida.

His work is in the permanent collections of Sioux City Art Center, Iowa; Mandarin Hotel, Miami; MGM Mirage, Las Vegas; Suki Art Fund, Houston; Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino and Four Seasons Hotel and Resort, Marrakech, among dozens of others. Representation for his work includes Soho Myriad, Atlanta; Boston Art, Boston and Kinzelman Art Consultants, Houston, among other leaders in the field.

Aho recently launched the first exhibition on the history of Florida surfing at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla.

The Paducah School of Art opened its doors in 2007 and has grown to an enrollment of more than 400 students. Four full-time and five part-time faculty members currently teach at PSA.

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