On May 14, a pre-selected group of students from all sections of the Mt.SAC Art Department such as fine arts, ceramics, animation, and photography came together to showcase a variety of pieces at the 67th Annual Student Art Exhibition. A reception was held where exhibiting artists were able to talk to students and attendees about their work. More than one hundred exhibitors were selected from a pool of over 300 submissions to take part in the gallery.

Gallery attendees gathered in the Mt. SAC Art Gallery and walked around in the pieces of art set in different halls. Doreen Li, 22, engineering major, said she was able to appreciate the exhibit so much that she has been considering changing her major. “I feel like I feel the art when I look at it, I don’t really know how to explain it,” said Li.

She expressed that seeing art exhibits in person is a more rewarding experience than looking at it online or in a book. “Sometimes you need to see it in person so that you can enjoy it more,” said Li. “Reality is so different from how you imagine it in your head.”

Art students like illustration major Jose Leos, 27, said it took him 4–5 days to finish his piece depicting a woman’s lips. “I was inspired by other painters and their use of colors,” said Leos. “I guess you can say I have a thing for lips.” Leos said he hopes to become a professional illustrator when he grows up and thinks art should be an important part of students’ lives. “I think it is a way to express yourself and see how other people express themselves,” said Leos.

Other exhibiting artists included fine arts major Lori Geren, who said that before arriving at Mt. SAC, she had never taken an art course. “I had barely ever held a crayon. I didn’t grow up in a house full of artists, so when I came [to Mt. SAC] I wanted to learn about art,” she said. Geren had 3 pieces at the gallery, one of which was inspired by protest propaganda. She says she tried to go outside of her comfort zone when putting her work together. “The meanings are kind of ambiguous,” said Geren. “But if I’ve gotten you to think about my work, I’ve done my job.” Her time at Mt. SAC has proven to be beneficial to her overall skill. “Now that I have taken a number of art classes, not only do I feel like I know more, I’ve found that I can actually paint,” said Geren.

Music filled the rooms of the art gallery as students observed not only 2-D but also the 3-D artwork. Jazmin Lopez, 34, business major said that the ceramics pieces interested her the most. “It was mostly the different paintings and styles that they used on them.” She added that students at Mt. SAC should be aware of the art that is accessible to them on campus.

“It boosts creativity and allows the mind to flourish, not just in physical form but also just in your own mind,” said Lopez. Even though the art department is focused in on one side of campus she said that students should take advantage of it. “People know Mt. SAC more for sports, and we have so much more than that,” she added.