CBC Art Gallery Hosts Numerous Art Exhibits Throughout the Academic Year

David Diaz, pictured on the pre ious page, is showing artist Bob Gomez the same Aztec symbols shown on the canvas that is also tattooed on his arm. Diaz has been studying the Aztec culture and ancient group for about ten years now. He recently enrolled at Coastal Bend College pursuing a welding and automotive license.

The Faculty Art Exhibit not only featured Ray Pilarczyk, a Karnes County native, but also Jayne Duryea and Luis Pena, both instructors at Coastal Bend College Beeville, and Bob Gomez, an instructor at CBC Kingsville.

In October, another art exhibit, “Deceptively Delicious” by artist Alexis Ramos was hosted in the Simon Michael Art Gallery in the Frank Jostes Visual Arts Building. The artwork, made of clay and glass, represents delicious looking food, mostly pastries. The entire gallery was filled with ceramic artwork depicting cookies, pies, and cakes. During the gallery talk, Ramos discussed the deeper meaning behind her inedible pastries. “Food is a time for family and sharing, and this body of work is the way of sharing my love and respect for a fleeting art form that tastes so good we often overlook the artistry it embodies.”

During the last faculty and student art exhibit of the fall semester, the artwork is sold to the public as a way to allow these artists some extra spending money as Christmas festivities come closer. During the purchasing process, the artist must accept the proposed bid by the art buyer before the deal is complete. This unique opportunity allows students (pictured above) to show off what they have been working on throughout the semester to their families and local community members. During the course of the art exhibit, an estimated $1,370 was sold to community members and employees of the college supporting our students and faculty.

The process of the gallery experience and selling their work is part of the ARTS curriculum “the business of art”. Collectors who invest in the students’ work have the potential to collect work that may appreciate in value in time if they continue with their work as artists. Art is big business. The work at all exhibitions is for sale even though we are an “educational” gallery first.

Dr. Carry DeAtley, Vice President of Instruction and Economic Development, pictured below, bought two watercolor pieces created by a student also pictured below. The rooster photo was one of the pictures purchased by Dr. DeAtley. Involvement in the arts teaches students how to try new things, manage risk, and handle potential failure. Check back frequently for more art gallery exhibits, workshops, and other events.