A live band filled every corner of the art gallery courtyard with soothing Jazz music as a crowd of 150 people consisting of faculty, students and parents attended the 2011 Annual Student Exhibition at Pierce College.
Marking the end of the school year, students from all levels of art classes were given the opportunity to submit entries ranging in categories such as ceramics, portraits, sculptures as well as multimedia.
“Without the Associated Students Organization (ASO) , this exhibition would not be possible,” said Monika Del Bosque, Pierce College gallery director and assistant professor of art.
A grant from the ASO and the Foundation for Pierce College helped bring the exhibition to life.
There were a total of 85 submissions, not including multimedia. Awards were narrowed down to 11 winners, including Best of Show, 1st through 3rd place winners and honorable mentions.
The student work was displayed all around the courtyard, allowing spectators to get a good look at each piece.
Portraits and paintings hung from white walls, decorating the room with vibrant colors.
Sculptures were placed on pedestals as lights embraced their incredible details. A sculpture of a male figure made with plastic sat on a wooden chair in the corner of the room, grabbing the attention of everyone as they moved along to other pieces.
“I’m here because a lot of my friends got into the art show,” said art student Lauren Diasi. “I’m here to see if they win.”
Jim Sweeters, Canoga Park Youth Arts Center gallery director, judged all the entries prior to the showcase.
“This is a celebration of creativity,” said Sweeters. “All the curriculum that is thought here at Pierce is represented in this exhibition”.
Sweeters announced the winners after a heartwarming ‘thank you’ speech by Del Bosque, who thanked all the people who worked behind the scenes to help make the exhibition successful.
Groups of friends and family cheered on as Sweeters prepared to give out the awards, assuring everyone that, in his opinion, all the contestants were winners.
Oil painting student Lucas Bononi earned Best of Show for his piece called, “Tre-Flip in the Clouds.”
“I love to skate,” said Bononi. “[Tre-Flip in the Clouds] is actually a self portrait; I chose it because when I’m up in the air, I feel happy”.
Sweeters acknowledged that Bononi is a former student at Canoga Park Youth Arts Center.
“I didn’t know he was part of our center,” said Sweeters. “It’s great to see that this is his first submission.”
Faranak Amirrkhiz, fine arts major, won 1st place with her piece called “Portrait,” a drawing inspired by her mother-in-law who she said is her favorite person to draw.
“I’m really happy,” said Amirkhiz. “I love drawing and painting, and everything about art excites me.”
Using another form of expression, student Klara-Monica Siclovan achieved third place with her multimedia piece: “Schools: A War Aftermath.”
“The Save the Children Organization is a campaign which focuses on situations of child education and areas of warfare,” said an overjoyed Siclovan after learning she had won a cash prize. “I feel great; I’m honored and really thankful.”
At the end of the night, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments that included strawberries provided by the Pierce Farm Center.
List of Awardees:
Best of Show- Lucas Bononi “Tre-Flip in the Clouds” $200
1st place Faranak Amirkhiz “Portrait” $175
2nd place Farnaz Sabet “The Silent Jar” $150
3rd place Klara-Monica Siclovan “Schools: A war Aftermath” $100
Honorable Mention Linda Bruckman “Fritz the Elf”
Honorable Mention Christian Gonzalez “Vitriolic Maceration”
Honorable Mention Heater Walters “Twisted Entity”
Honorable Mention Yasamin Boromond “Like An Alien”
Honorable Mention Abendnego Harsono “The Hammer”
Honorable Mention James Stigtor “Black and White”
Honorable Mention Carlos Rodriguez “Tin Man”