Brandstater Gallery ends season with senior duo show

The show will run through Thursday, June 14 and will conclude with a final reception on Sunday, June 17 at 11 a.m. immediately following the university’s commencement ceremony. 

Marquez is a fine art major with an emphasis in graphic design. His exhibit, entitled “Silver Linings,” will be composed of artwork created in various classes he has taken during his years as a student at La Sierra. He has worked with media such as oil paints, acrylics, graphite, and screen prints, to name a few. His inspiration derives from life experiences.

“My goal with my art and design skills is to reinvigorate both myself and those around me, using as a medium my true life trials, tribulations, and an empty canvas as my backboard,” Marquez said in his artist statement. 

“I wanted to include two very important people in my art exhibit,” Marquez said. Both Derrick Robbins, his friend and former La Sierra basketball coach and his ex-girlfriend, Jaquia Respass, have passed away but remain inspirations for Marquez. Robbins was the reason Marquez decided to attend La Sierra University, and Respass, who Marquez described as “very compassionate and free-spirited and an artist herself,” was the inspiration behind Marquez’s decision to pursue art.  

“I will have graphic design pieces in my exhibit specifically for them with a short description of who they are in my exhibit,” said Marquez. 

After graduating, Marquez hopes to work as a freelance graphic designer. Eventually, he would like to work full time as a graphic designer for a larger company, preferably his parent’s rehabilitation center in San Juan Capistrano, Hope by the Sea. 

Caldera’s exhibit is titled “Refugee of Silence” and will feature approximately seven oil paintings on canvas, all inspired by her life experiences. Her pieces are the culmination of a 15-year-long journey of trying to finish school through cycles of depression.

“Creating artwork empowers me to give visual form to my voice,” Caldera said in her artist’s statement. “Growing up I was very quiet and timid… I was petrified of the truth, for some reason I believed if the truth was to be known people would get hurt and I didn’t want to be the cause of pain. So I kept silent for many years. Art has become a platform to my revolution. I intend to change the world around me by speaking of the unspeakable. An attempt to tap into the language of the heart. To give peace to the wounded heart and awareness to the blind heart.” 

Some of her inspirations include renowned artists Henri Matisse, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, and Frida Kahlo. Caldera’s artwork is intended to exalt God’s work in her life, the liberation of her soul, and appreciation for the present. 

After graduating, Caldera plans to take a short break before returning to school to pursue her teaching credentials. She hopes to teach high school art. 

Brandstater Gallery is located in the Visual Arts Center on Middle Campus Drive. Admission to the gallery and reception is free. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. For further information, call 951-785-2170 or email Gallery Director Tim Musso at tmusso@lasierra.edu. A campus map is available at lasierra.edu/campus-map/.