STORY AND PHOTO BY HANNAH KAMPITAN, DIGITAL EDITOR
The Cypress College Art Gallery (CCAG) had its new gallery opening on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m. for their new theme, “Now and Then,” which showcases pieces made by the artists who lead campus: our very own art professors.
For the first time since the pandemic, the “Now and Then” gallery showcased works from both past and current Cypress College faculty, featuring ceramics, paintings, pastels, illustrations, essays, and sewn art. Most of the professors were present to share the meaning behind their creations and listen to the interpretations of attendees viewing their work. Unlike the usual student-led exhibitions, this event highlighted the artistic abilities of faculty members.
Janet Owen Driggs, one of the participating professors in the gallery and an art historian, said how important the theme is.
“‘Now and Then’ brings together a whole variety of artists who work in many different mediums and different ages–it’s very generational. It’s a way of showcasing what I think is pure brilliance.”
Driggs provided copies of her essay, “Franz K. Ferenz: The Forgotten Fascist of Los Angeles,” at the event. The essay targeted the intersectionalities of fascism, communism, and socialism, relating that to propagandist Franz K. Ferenz and his relationship with other prominent artists in 1930 Los Angeles. According to Driggs, while Ferenz worked as a propagandist under Hitler, he also worked closely with Jewish architects and promoted their work. Driggs finds the intersections uncanny in our present-day society, reinforcing the importance of recollecting the past.
The “Now and Then” exhibition marks the first time Donivan Howard, Department Chair of the Art Department, has showcased his work in the CCAG. He has worked at Cypress College for five years and has three of his pieces on display at the gallery.
“One thing, the arts are always seen as something that’s a dumping ground for other academic areas. By holding exhibitions, you can see the academic learning and the level of learning it takes to be an artist,” Howard says, “I believe it exposes not only the academic community but the public community to what is very powerful and profound within an art department.”
Two out of the three pieces Howard displayed are part of his “Harvest” series. It deals with the idea of evaluating those small intimacies and similarities that we have, like wearing accessories on our bodies or styling our hair, and its relation to how we’re not all strangers. According to Howard, his piece demonstrates how we harvest relationships between others and the sanity within ourselves.
His last piece is what Howard calls “Awe.” Pictured is an illustration of a nude woman, and he explained that it’s a portrayal of how we exist.
“We don’t exist just by breathing and living,” he said, “we exist by the support of one another. Life bringing life. Awe! Total Awe!”
The gallery will be open Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Oct. 3 to Nov. 21. The gallery is located next to the campus theater in the gateway area.