Gallery to host annual student show

The Art+Design department will host the annual Art+Design Student Show beginning on Mon., May 2 with an opening reception and awards from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will run until Thurs., May 19 and will take place in Brandstater Gallery.

This show has been held since the gallery first opened in 1984. Universities and colleges with art and design departments hold exhibitions to show the art that their students have completed. “The main goal of creating art and design is to share it with people, and exhibitions are an important part of this sharing,” says Timothy Musso, Brandstater Gallery director.

Any student at La Sierra University, regardless of major and who has enrolled in at least one Art+Design class between spring quarter 2015 and this year’s spring quarter is eligible to submit their art. The Art+Design faculty is in charge of deciding what pieces to choose for the exhibit. During the opening reception, guest judges will select the best work and discuss their reasons for selecting it. The Brandstater family donates an award fund each year, which is given to the select group of artists and designers.

“Students who take Art+Design classes understand the high level of commitment in both time and energy it takes to make good artwork,” said Musso.

Grace Saunders, junior majoring in fine arts, will submit work that she has completed in various classes and workshops. The work will range from various media, but will mainly be oil paintings since that is the emphasis for her BFA program. Saunders describes her education at La Sierra as well-rounded since she has taken classes that have both challenged and encouraged her to utilize new techniques and build new skills.

“Since my freshman year I have felt welcomed and supported by those around me. It is a terrific learning environment,” said Saunders.

Leslie Escudero, senior majoring in graphic design, will also participate in the show for the second time. During last year’s show, she was the recipient of Best of Show award. “It was a great experience to show everyone my work and I can’t wait to see how people react this year to the work I have submitted,” said Escudero. She has submitted six pieces in various mediums ranging from graphite drawings to photography.

“It’s a great experience for an artist and for everyone outside of the creative field to come and see what La Sierra University students can create. As individuals we each have a special gift and skill that we use to introduce and share with everyone,” says Escudero.

Admission to the exhibition and reception is free. For more information, call (951) 785-2170 or e-mail art@lasierra.edu. For a calendar of other upcoming events at Brandstater Gallery, visit https://lasierra.edu/brandstater/. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.