Teachers & Mentors
Sophany Sor - General Manager
I am a Contemporary artist painting mostly figurative work, oil on canvas. I became a student of Colors of Cambodia in 2009 and later a Teacher and Manager in 2012.
In my works I have the opportunity to talk about my (Khmer) culture and show how my past springboards into the goals of my future. It is my hands, and your hands too, for I have given you this insight into my works.
I paint what I recollect from my past, things handed down from my family and others. I notice that the past causes some people to suffer, but we are living in the present and cannot change the past: we can try to understand it, and the power it has over us.
Set Sing - Teacher
I am Set Sing; I was born on the 7th July, 2001 and have been attending classes at Colors of Cambodia since 2017. I began my journey with Colors of Cambodia in 2016 after hearing about the project through a friend and in 2020 began teaching classes part-time. I attend classes at Colors of Cambodia daily, along with attending high school and learning English in the evening.
I have loved art since I was a little boy and am very thankful for Colors of Cambodia giving me a place to learn about art and perfect my favorite medium, watercolor painting.
When I finish high school, I would like to volunteer at the public school to teach art. I want to support the children that do not have the same opportunities as mine due to growing up in poor areas. With this, I hope to bring happiness to the children. I am inspired by my surroundings and life in Cambodia. I enjoy painting birds and nature and want to share my ability with the world.
Salone - Teacher
I am Loun lon but am known at COC as Salone. I was born on the 1st of September, 2002. I come from a large family of 8 siblings and am currently studying at University. I started studying at Colors of Cambodia in 2014 after hearing about it from a friend at school. Travelling from my village was difficult so I now live in Siem Reap with my aunt, which allows me to continue my studies at COC.
Although I am busy with school, in 2019 I began teaching art each Sunday morning at the gallery.
I enjoy the family atmosphere at the gallery and think my teachers are very kind and supportive. They help me to overcome challenges in my life.
Oil is my favorite medium to work with. At first, I found oil difficult to paint with and I didn’t like the smell. I didn’t know how to do it and thought it was too hard. I listened to my teacher explain what colors to start with and which brush to use. As I became more confident, I found oil to be enjoyable. It is easier to mix colors together and it doesn’t dry out as fast. I think the brush strokes feel better and are smoother. I prefer to paint portraits so I can show feelings and emotions in my paintings.
Sorm Narath - Teacher
I am Sorm Narath. I was born on the 3rd of May, 2001. I have been attending Colors of Cambodia daily since 2016, along with working part-time and attending high school. I began teaching part-time at COC in 2021.
I love to express my feelings, nature and floating villages through art. I am inspired by my surroundings and my feelings, which I am able to show through my paintings. I have enjoyed art since I was little and my favorite medium is watercolor.
I enjoy coming to Colors of Cambodia as it is a very good school with good rules and is a free project. I am very thankful for my teachers, who are kind and patient when I do not understand or make a mistake.
I wish to continue with my art in the future and hope to become an architect. Before, I had not thought about my future, but now, through COC, I have found his dream. I am very appreciative and proud that my paintings have been shown in other countries.
I never thought this would happen and hope the viewers love my work as much as I loved painting my art piece.
Narak - Teacher
My name is Thy Channarak, but I go by Narak. I was born on the 21st of November, 2002. I began to learn about drawing and painting in 2014 at Colors of Cambodia and became a part-time teacher in 2021.
My favorite art media is watercolors and oil. Some of my works are displayed in the Colors of Cambodia art gallery.
The reason why I love painting is because it helps me to forget my worries and my stress. Artwork makes me feel happy.
Working with the students of the school and practicing my own love of art has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities I did not know existed before coming to Colors of Cambodia Art School.
Kosal - Teacher
My name is Kosal Son. I was born on the 27th of June, 1999. I have been a student in Colors of Cambodia art school since 2017 and teaching part-time since 2020.
My favorite art media are pencils and watercolors. Dome of my work is displayed in the Colors of Cambodia art gallery.
I love art because it lifts my spirits whenever I have had a bad day or when I feel sad. Art makes me feel at peace with myself.
Before I joined Colors of Cambodia art school, I saw art as a way to make money, but my teachers have shown me how to appreciate the beauty of art and given me a vision of a better life.
Meet the Founder
William “Bill” Gentry
Bill is the founder of Colors of Cambodia and the current Chairman of the Board of A World of Difference. Bill’s “can do” California-born mentality has seen his passion for teaching come to life in the form of the Colors of Cambodia Art School and Gallery in Siem Reap. Bill’s ability to detect talent and provide mentorship to those seeking it is unmatched. As an art lover, Bill studied Fine Arts Painting and graduated from Indiana University in 1981. Bill’s advocacy for children to practice and explore art has taken him worldwide and provided countless opportunities for children to discover their own artistic abilities.
Volunteers
Honey Khor - Volunteer
A graduate of the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA 2017), Honey Khor’s ink-a-brush paintings have been displayed worldwide. Her talent and experience are nothing short of amazing. This passion for art led her to establish the Honey Child Development Centre (Sir Madu 2005-2021), which focuses on providing the tools that ensure a child can thrive as they grow.
As the founder and facilitator, Honey planted and grew the seed of love for art in children. This calling led her to a position with the Pink Tower Childcare Centre as an Art Facilitator (2018- 2023) and to provide therapeutic art workshops to students with autism alongside the National Autism Society of Malaysia from 2016 to 2018. Honey’s heart for children and art makes her an invaluable asset to The Colors of Cambodia Gallery and Art School in Siem Reap. From implementing internal procedures to student curriculum, Honey has been a critical component in the advancement and reach of the COC Art School.
For nearly 15 years, Honey has aided in the artistic and developmental success of countless children and young adults that attend the COC Art School in Siem Reap.
Julia Haw - Volunteer
Julia Haw (b. 1982, Flint, MI) attended Western Michigan University with a concentration in painting and is recognized for creating bold memory-staining works. She addresses personal and immediate social issues, and most presently, global and political issues, and examines such topics as feminism, ageism, memory deterioration, intimacy, death and confrontational experience. She uses oil paint on cotton or linen as her mainstay medium, in order to achieve empathetic coverage of these socially and emotionally shared issues, and has been able to achieve considerable viewer pause through her dedicated work habit, vibrant color choices, straightforward subject matter, and by using people and objects within her community as models. Haw’s paintings tend to function as highly relatable, ensuing discussion amongst viewers, and bringing the public forum necessarily back.
Her work has been exhibited in such places as the Chicago Cultural Center, IL State Museum, and extensively with curator and dealer Claire Molek. Her upcoming solo show will be held at 111 East Gallery in Siem Reap, Cambodia in January of 2018.
Haw met founder Bill Gentry in late 2015 and started volunteering with Colors of Cambodia in the beginning of 2017 with an extended volunteer stay from January-April. She continues to be involved in the students lives and is assisting with further fundraising and projects based in the US and Siem Reap.
She currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
Sophanin Sor - Volunteer
My favorite Artwork is Acrylic color like relief or reality style of life. Sophanin has studied art since 2008 at the Colors of Cambodia Art School . She enjoys a realistic style of art depicting life. When she is not painting or teaching, Sophanin enjoys fishing and traveling.
In the future Sophanin hopes to open her own gallery while teaching students at no cost. Keeping artistic resources available to the children of Cambodia is important to Sophanin and the entire team at the Colors of Cambodia Art School.
Ponleu -Volunteer
Growing up Ponleu was drawn to painting. Lacking the opportunity to explore this passion, Ponleu moved to Siem Reap. Living with his aunt allowed him to be closer to the Colors of Cambodia Art School. A first-time student in 2008, Ponleu now passes his knowledge down to the newcoming and returning students.
Favorite mediums of art include watercolor and acrylic. Stylistic interests are modern art and realist. In sharing his love of art, Ponleu exhibits everything COC stands for.