by Paul Seibert
The Governor French Gallery is an integrated part of The Governor French Academy. It is integral to the private school’s fine arts curriculum and is housed in the wing of the school building that once was home to Oliver C Joseph Dodge Chrysler on West Main Street in Belleville, Illinois.
Since the move from downtown Belleville to the more modern and spacious accommodations on Route 15 southwest of town, the rustic / majestic OCJ building has been the fine arts venue for literally hundreds of exhibitions of local, regional, national and international artists. And recently, that has included the locally transplanted international painter, Alma Castillo.
A Spanish speaking native of Panama, Alma came to the USA fifteen years ago. A native of Aguadulce, in the Republic of Panama district of Cocle, she moved here as two of her children were here in the St. Louis area. And they had grandchildren for her to gleefully join in their lives together.
This September (September 6 through September 27), The Governor French Academy’s annual celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes nacional de la herencia hispana) included featuring Alma Castillo’s painting exhibition ‘Panamanian Brushstrokes’ in the Governor French Gallery.
Alma started painting in 1960. She has had a paintbrush in her hand almost daily since. She finds inspiration in many things, perhaps most significantly “in love and nature and the wonderful people in my life.”
Asked about any formal training, Alma modestly stated that she has been blessed to have great teachers along her path. They included Professor Chang Neta at her girls’ high school (1962-1964), Mr. and Mrs. Jannine at the Institute Justo Arosemena of Panama (nuevo.ija.edu.pa/quienes-somos/) and Architecture Faculty member Manuel Cedeno at University of Panama (www.up.ac.pa). “I only know it is a blessing to have great teachers in my path.”
Alma says that “every one of her paintings tells a story of Panama.” When asked what meaning she likes people to find in her colorful paintings, her answer was her desire to elicit smiles. “I would like them to enjoy the bright colors in each stroke and feel part of my joy in sharing them.”
Alma’s brilliant works can be found in many places, including the Instituto William H. Kilpatrick in Panama (institutokilpatrick.edu.pa), the Cooperative of Veraguas Educators in Panama, stage scenery and parade floats in Panama, numerous murals in homes and businesses in Panama, Spain and the United States. And that certainly includes wall murals within the buildings of The Governor French Academy (www.governorfrench.com) where her grandchildren go to school. And also on Main Street in Downtown Belleville, Illinois, find examples of Alma’s artworks on display and for sale at Keil’s Clock Shop (keilsclockshop.com). There, you can expect loving attention from none other than one of the children Alma moved to the US to be near – her daughter, also named Alma (Almita).
When asked what advice she would have for new artists, Alma offered the following: “Que disfruten lo que haga y traten de llevar un mensaje en positivo para toda la humanidad. Siento que al arte es el reflejo del alma.” A rough translation: Enjoy what you do and try to convey a positive message to humanity. I feel that art is a reflection of the soul. (In Spanish, “alma” means “soul.)
Governor French Gallery can be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/people/Governor-French-Gallery/) and on the web at www.gessomagazine.com/gfgallery/.
Author Paul Seibert is the Curator at Governor French Gallery.
