Shared Memories - ARTS Team Exhibition
Guests at our Shared Memories Exhibition Opening Reception event in the ARTS Gallery
Our latest exhibition in the ARTS Gallery, "Shared Memories," is more than just a collection of artwork by our talented team of artists and creatives. The team filled the show with personal experiences that have shaped their identities. Our aim is to inspire the young artists in our programs to create and share their artwork fearlessly, fostering a sense of connection within our community.
During a recent class visit to the ARTS Gallery, Teaching Artist Sheena Rae Dowling witnessed the profound impact of the painting series I Never Wanted You to See Me Like This on her student Addie. The diptych painting was created by ARTS on Campus Teaching Artist, Sora Gallagher. This powerful experience beautifully illustrates the meaningful connection between art and its ability to inspire and evoke deep emotions and past experiences.
Addie was asked if they would like to share their reflections on the piece, so we will include them here.
Addie E, Community ARTS Youth Artist reflecting on the artwork I Never Wanted You to See Me Like This by Sora Gallagher
"The loose composition of the mismatched subjects in the painting struck a chord in me. I am not sure why, whether it be the wondrous hues or something else. It reminded me of my late sister. Although she passed young and I never met her, there is still some sort of bittersweet feeling over what could have been had she grown up. She could have been a mentor or a best friend, or maybe someone else. As I recall, it brought a memory of a memory. Since I never met her, I could only connect to a recollection of her memory from someone else. It is a vicarious experience and something so odd, so few can only relate to that, I think."
Sheena mentioned, "They were excited to hear that the show was all art made by people who work at ARTS. They had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the artists—" This unique opportunity to interact with local artists is one of the things that makes ARTS special. Students had the chance to spend time with a piece of art they were interested in and then write or draw their responses. "Students had some really beautiful and profound things to say. It allowed them to think more deeply about their upcoming paintings and how to approach the topic of memory."
The exhibition provided an excellent opportunity for our team to come together with our friends and family for an opening reception and celebrate our collective creativity. The evening featured inspiring words from various ARTS team members, including our new Executive Director, Lucy Eagleson, and Program Manager, Olimpia Vázquez Ojeda. We also bid a bittersweet farewell to Terry Matsuoka, as this was his final week with us as the ARTS 4 Justice and ARTS @ Work program coordinator. The highlight of the night was a reading of a vibrant and emotional poem, "All Things Given," written and recited by ARTS Facilities Specialist, Guillermo Santiago, which highlights the many sides of what it means to be an artist and emphasizes the transformative power of creativity.
Guillermo Santiago sharing his poem All Things Given at the Shared Memories Opening Reception
The "Shared Memories" exhibition will be on display at the ARTS Gallery until Friday, November 8th. It is open to the public during gallery hours, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 PM and also during our public events and workshops.
