On May 14, the Diana Berger Art Gallery will host an opening event for the Student Art Show from 4-7 p.m., featuring around 200 pieces ranging from sculptures, paintings, photographs, animation and more, all designed and created by students.
Delilah Haro, a project expert at the Diana Berger Art Gallery, explained the intention behind the decision to feature such a significant number of pieces.
“The point of having so many is to diversify what is represented in the student art show, because we tried to reach out to many disciplines,” Haro said.
The opening event will consist of interactive activities for those in attendance. Beyond just an opportunity to view the gallery, the event will feature printmaking and ceramics for attendees who are interested in creating their own keepsakes to take home. Those who are unable to make it to the opening can visit the gallery through June 4.
Haro shared what she hopes viewers will take away about the value of art after viewing the gallery.
“There’s something there, even if it’s just passion,” Haro said. “People don’t need to just have a job and just make money. It’s about being in a community that will support you.”
The pieces were selected by a committee of students who were interested in gallery production. This committee was assembled by Mt. SAC professor and gallery director Kirk Pedersen. All students were encouraged to submit their artwork, including committee members, regardless of their major. Students could submit up to four pieces, and the strongest pieces were selected from those submissions.
Mark Dávila, a project expert at the Diana Berger Art Gallery, discussed the opportunity that the show offers students to reflect on the artwork submitted by themselves and their peers.
“It’s all about the students’ experience,” Dávila said. “So them being able to see their peers and where their skill levels are at as an artist and areas they could work on and build from. Or areas they’ve seen progress and kind of measure what the standards are to be in an actual art gallery in the world.
A correction was made at 2:20 p.m. on May 11, to accurately reflect the spelling of Kirk Pedersen.
