Annual Student Art Exhibition: Talent and Promise on Display at University Art Gallery

For CSU Dominguez Hills' Class of 2006, graduation means celebrating with family and friends, heaving a long sigh of relief after surviving final exams and papers. For studio art and design students, however, the senior art show represents one more hoop to jump through before donning cap and gown.

The weeklong Annual Student Art Exhibition in the University Art Gallery opened on May 10 with a reception honoring the graduates and their work. Kathy Zimmerer, director, University Art Gallery, sums up the experience for students who, upon graduating, will pursue advanced degrees in art or, more importantly, full-fledged careers.

“The exhibition showcases student work and gives our students a coherent portfolio to show to the outside world,” she says, “emphasizing their strengths and displaying their ideas. It a crowning achievement for many of them to see their work professionally installed and lighted in the gallery.  For the students, the process of having the faculty select the work, preparing the works for display, writing their statements, and adding the finishing touches gives them invaluable experience.”

This year’s exhibition included posters designed by assistant professor of visual arts Michele Allan’s students for the Don Quixote symposium, held last December at CSUDH in celebration of the novel’s 400th anniversary; computer animation and Websites; ceramics and mixed-media sculpture; and paintings in a variety of styles.

Every year, the city of Carson designates a student selected by faculty advisors for showing the best work in the exhibit, and is presented with a plaque by the city’s Historical and Fine Arts Commission at the exhibition’s opening reception.
Elizabeth Rodriguez (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art) was named “Artist of the Year” for her autobiographical and surrealistic paintings.

Also highlighted that evening were those graduating with honors in their majors.
Shirley Robinson (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art), and Tiffany Gosden (Class of ’06, B.A., Design), were both commended for their minimum 3.5 GPA, as well as for their artistic talents. In addition, the yearly $500 Art Department Scholarship was awarded to junior Brandy Reese (Art History). A $200 award was presented to Calixto Rodriguez (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art) by Dr. Dennis Sevilla (Class of '91, B.A., Biology), director of operations, Pathology, Inc.

- Joanie Harmon

Photos above: Graduating with honors in their majors were Shirley Robinson (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art) and Tiffany Gosden (Class of ’06, B.A., Design). Pictured with Bernard Baker, chair, Art Department.

Dr. Dennis Sevilla (Class of '91, B.A., Biology) Director of Operations, Pathology Inc. presents $200 as an award for excellence, courtesy of Pathology Inc., to Calixto Rodriguez (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art).

The Art Department Scholarship was given to junior Brandy Reese (Art History), by
Bernard Baker, chair, Art Department.

Joan Reiner, supervisor, Community Programs, presents the City of Carson’s Artist of the Year award to Elizabeth Rodriguez (Class of ’06, B.A., Studio Art).