Arts, Etc.Fine Art

Harris hosts first student exhibit

Senior Ivan Matsumuto, whose art will be displayed at the Senior Art Show on May 17, attends the Student Art Show to see the works of other students. Among the works on display is "Surviving Bouncing Squares Egg" by Jessica Guzman. The box, constructed of toothpicks and glue, was made to protect the egg within. / photo by Rhidian Maehl
Senior Ivan Matsumuto, whose art will be displayed at the Senior Art Show on May 17, attends the Student Art Show to see the works of other students. Among the works on display is “Surviving Bouncing Squares Egg” by Jessica Guzman. The box, constructed of toothpicks and glue, was made to protect the egg within. / photo by Rhidian Maehl

by Andrea Gardner
Editorial Assistant

The Harris Art Gallery opened the annual student art exhibit on April 29, showing the collected works of University of La Verne students taking classes in the Art Department.

The opening reception allowed the public to come face-to-face with the artists.

Senior Wendy Rockenbaugh explained that everyone who is taking an art class has a piece on display.

Senior Barbara Gonzales, who will show much of her work at the senior exhibit, entitled “Nine,” had four pieces of art on display, one being a sculpture entitled “Talking Hands” which she constructed with the help of professor George Stone.

“I’m really excited about art. I wish more people would take it,” said Gonzales.

The exhibit, the gallery’s first student-produced showcase, includes 78 pieces of art that will be on display until May 8.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to view the works on display, which come in the form of paintings, sketches, sculptures and mixed media.

At the opening, spectator senior Mike Martin described the art as “vivid, colorful and enlightening.”

Udit Gratz de Lang, wife of Dr. Reed Gratz, professor of music, had three pieces of art on display, including a sketch of her husband entitled, “Professor in Thought Not Sleeping, Composing.”

Gratz recalled doing the sketch at Laguna Beach in about 10 minutes as her husband rested beside her.

Senior art student Kathryn Koon described the exhibit as a “first step” in art displays on campus.

“This is such a wonderful show. I just love it; it’s a far cry from those cruddy Student Center shows,” said Koon, referring to the location of past student art exhibits.

Also on display are student assignments such as self portrait assignments in which students were to draw a picture which symbolized themselves. Others include quick sketches and paintings that began as exercises.

Senior Ivan Matsumoto, who will also have his work displayed at the senior exhibit, had a sculpture on display entitled, “Anatomy of a Buck Knife,” which he made last semester with the help of George Stone, assistant professor of art.

“As a whole, I felt that it represented the Art Department very well and that they did a good job in displaying each discipline of art,” he said.

It is the Art Department’s hope that the gallery will better acquaint the University with art, especially works produced on campus.

Said Koon, “We need more art awareness on this campus.”

Andrea Gardner
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Rhidian Maehl
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