The art gallery at Los Medanos College was active as students, faculty and community members gathered for a very inspiring showcase managed by Sarah Lee, the director of the art gallery. The event featured a vast and diverse collection of art, digital pieces and mixed media, all created by LMC faculty. The “Roll Call” art exhibit brought together multiple artists and art enthusiasts for a packed evening of connection.
This year’s showcase began with many guests freely walking around the gallery space, chatting as they viewed the wide variety of faculty art on display. The atmosphere was both nice and professional, with inviting people standing in small groups, pointing out things, and new people meeting and bonding over art for the first time.
“I like viewing these too, seeing other artists’ artistic expressions and thoughts,” said student Juan Cervantes, smiling as he looked around at the walls covered in different pieces. “I’m really happy to see all of this art. It’s really good.”
As the room filled with about 25 to 35 people, which was a crowd for the space, Lee gathered everyone together to begin the evening. With her bright and bubbly personality, she introduced each piece one by one, inviting the artists to come forward and share their inspirations, techniques and their journeys. Her jokes and laughter kept everything engaging, and the atmosphere encouraged even the shyest artists to speak.
One of those artists, John Schall, presented his collection that focused on technique and conceptual experimentation. “My primary motivator to display these pieces was technique,” Schall explained. “I was interested in exploring different kinds of new techniques that I’ve learned.”
Schall described how his recent work has become more conceptually focused. “I like to explore different concepts and different things that are going through my head,” he said. “This year I’ve sort of honed into a few more conceptual things, like AI.” He went on a wider theme of the show for innovation.
Schall also complimented the overall event itself. “I think the gallery was hosted beautifully,” he said. “This is definitely one of the better shows.”
The annual showcase has a legacy behind it. “This was going on annually before with another curator,” Lee said. “Then I basically just took over.” Since stepping into the role, she’s made it her job to make the event as open and welcoming as possible and she’s doing just that.
“Everyone gets their art pieces accepted,” Lee explained. “You just submit it with the form online, and I pick through the selections.” She really emphasizes the inclusivity of literally anyone, giving all the faculty the chance to share their creative work.
For Lee, though, the event isn’t just about art; it’s about community almost as much. “I want students to gather, and then even we co-workers need a space to socialize,” she said. “After the pandemic, everyone started being anti-social, but now it’s picking back up.”
Conversations flowed easily, laughter along with some chatter filled the gallery, and the artists eagerly explained the meaning or process behind their work.
Lee herself even contributed several pieces to the show, giving her own insight and vision to the perspectives. Her enthusiasm set the tone for the evening. This approach allows for encouraging openness, creativity, and connection.
By the end of the event, it was clear that the showcase was more than just an art exhibit. It was a good gathering of the community. After years of social distancing, the gallery felt like a space where the art brought people together.
As the last people still hung out, still talking and admiring the last details and everything, Cervantes summed up the evening and said, “I’m really happy to see all of this art, it’s really good.”
