The Los Medanos College art gallery hosted an opening ceremony for their new exhibition, “A Parting Glass,” featuring art and humanities professor Ken Alexander March 11. The event was packed, with over 60 people squeezed into the art gallery.
Snacks and drinks were given out to attendees and a short tour was given by Alexander himself.
“I have always told people, ‘no stop, my work isn’t that good,’ but I think it’s time I stop,” said Alexander at the start of the tour. “I like my work, I am not going to argue with you about it.”
Some of Alexander’s most striking work is his work with architecture.
“His cathedral work is extremely impressive from a technical standpoint,” said Nick Nabas, an art and humanities professor at LMC.
Alexander spent much time in the late 1990s painting various buildings in Europe.
“The detail and skill involved in each of the paintings, that sort of precision and detail requires a discipline that is beyond most,” Nabas said.
There is a noticeable gap in the dates of the art. Alexander said this is because of his change in teaching.
“I stopped painting and was a graphic designer for 13 years. Once I started teaching painting again I thought, ‘I should get back into it,’” Alexander said. “You can see that I reinvigorated my love for the craft.”
Members of the Pittsburg community as well as LMC art classes attended to show support and enjoy the art.
“If I had to choose a favorite I would choose the LMC one,” said Juan Cervantes, a student visiting with his art class. “I don’t know, it’s just eye-catching.”
Mia Cannady, another art student also enjoyed the works of art, saying “I think the landscape ones are very pretty,”
While most of the paintings were of landscapes, there were some portraits and buildings.
The crowd favorite by far however was an expressionist rendition of LMC on fire, with demon-like winged creatures crawling over the College Core Complex. The painting evokes a feeling reminiscent of the fall of an empire.
“We were going through a hiring process that was challenging,” Alexander said. “Let’s say that there were hard feelings and that was the way I processed that.”
The painting was inspired by Bosch’s works but has an eeriness that captivates the viewer.
“The one with the reflection is incredible,” said Cesar Reyes, an art and humanities professor at LMC. “It’s my favorite for sure.”
“We’ve been begging him for years to show off his work,” Nabas added. “He’s shown work here and there at the faculty show, but never so much at once. I’m glad he is sharing them.”
The gallery will be open to the public for free in the library building until April 10.
“The whole event was really great,” Alexander said. “This one was different. I haven’t stopped teaching yet, but I’m starting to think about my life after teaching. I’d rather this stuff be out, rather than leaning against a wall gathering dust.”
