Extraordinary artistic designs, paintings and photography, from Los Medanos College faculty and staff were on full display at the opening of the ‘Roll Call’ art exhibition held Sept. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Attendees lined up outside the door of the LMC library as the show was delayed by 30 minutes due to a last-minute adjustment mentioned by Gallery Director Carol Ladewig. But once the doors finally opened, faces beamed with excitement to view the work featured in the show. Marking the first art exhibit of the semester, students were excited to support their fellow teachers and see what the show had to offer.
“I’m here with my class to support my teacher Eric Sanchez and get extra credit,” said Devin Higoy.
Much preparation went into putting the show together from hanging up decorations to labeling the work. Ladewig gave a big shout-out to student workers Sofia Martinez and Sara Maza Sevilla for the amazing work they contributed.
“The event was a little more engaging between the artist and the attendees. The show itself was very pleasing,” said Ladewig. “It’s like a painting, it comes together over the week by moving things around up until the last minute. Making sure the pieces are seen and not competing against one another but just existing in a space.”
All the artwork speaks for itself as if it were alive. One of the first pieces you see as you walk in is a chicken staring directly at you named “Looly” a photo by Nick Nables.
As people walked around and admired the art, the gallery was quiet as you could hear pens dropping and baby cries. But everyone was brought together as the featured artist shared the stories behind their work and the process they went through to create each piece.
Spanish Professor Lori Huffman, describes the difficulties of choosing which pictures to feature in the show, emphasizing it was not an easy one. “I looked at all the pictures and questioned which ones have the most meaning to me. In terms of my career, what I’m interested in, and what’s dear to my heart.” The first photo was the most controversial “Monument to Discoveries” in Lisbon Portugal. This monument overlooked the water of Columbus’s first tour to the Americas.
Huffman’s second photo, the “Universidad de Coimbra” was inspired by her visiting the college in Portugal, which happens to be the oldest college in the area and is still running to this day. The third photo was her favorite, a waterfall from Yosemite, which she says you could hear miles away.
Graphic Design Specialist David Valencia said, “I was very excited prior to the event that staff and faculty had a chance to submit their work, yet still not knowing what to expect.”
There were over forty people in attendance who came to show support for our faculty and staff’s brilliant artwork.
“I like the way the event was orchestrated. It was amazing to see the paintings put together and the mixture of physical sculpture pieces with mixed media paintings. I also would like to see the art exhibit expanded somehow,” said Nyla Rahimi.
The art gallery is open to the public in the LMC Library Monday-Thursday 12-4 p.m. and free of charge. Please stop by and show some love and support.
