This exhibition showcases artwork created by the multi-talented individuals who currently work as instructors and staff in the Art Studio, Art Photography and Art History programs at Cabrillo College, as well as a number of retired full-time faculty.

In their educational role at Cabrillo, the artists in this exhibition focus their energies on the work of their students. Instructors and staff work so hard in the classroom to spark inspiration, activate the development of skills and ignite the power of creative problem solving through art. Cabrillo gallery is proud to give our hardworking educators and support staff a chance to share insights into their artistic practice with students, the Cabrillo College community, and the community at large.

This is an especially potent opportunity for Cabrillo students in the visual arts. The work of the artist/mentors in this exhibition provides many varied examples of the ways in which materials, concepts and experience can connect to make evocative works of art, demonstrating the importance of exploration and offering students the opportunity to generate aesthetic, analytical and intuitive connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they see in this exhibition.

This is also an opportunity for students to reflect on the professional art practice of the people they know primarily as their art teachers. Seeing the work of their mentors – produced through a combination of knowledge, ideas, skills, experience and years of dedication – clearly demonstrates that each of their mentors has their own successful studio practice, offering solid inspiration for students to forge their own future creative career paths in the arts.

image above: Meiru Huang "Outlet" oil on canvas

below: Claire Thorson "The Shape of Travel", mixed media on panel, Lesley Louden, "Hold On", archival pigment print, ink, watercolor, Camille Rendal, "Polopi-Octopus belt buckle", bronze, brass chain, Swarovski crystals