For over 60 years, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) has been a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work, but a recent expansion has taken this exhibition to new heights.
In 2021, under the directorship of Steven Wong at the Vincent Price Art Museum, the annual exhibition was expanded to include student artwork from campuses across the Los Angeles Community College District, which spans from the San Fernando Valley to the South Bay.
The showcase, titled “New Voices,” features a diverse array of artistic fields, including architecture, photography, illustration, costume design, and more.
The exhibition opens with a reception on April 19, and this year’s event is particularly competitive.
Nearly 400 artists submitted work from across the district’s nine campuses, but in a selective process, only 58 were chosen to exhibit.
Wong emphasizes that the exhibition serves not just as a showcase, but also as a valuable opportunity for students to connect with their community and share their artistic vision.
“When students see their work in the museum’s galleries, it’s magic,” said Wong, reflecting on the transformative experience for participants.
Many artists participating in “New Voices” are first-generation college students, much like Wong himself who began his academic journey at Santa Monica College.
Wong recalls that, upon expressing his desire to study art, he faced skepticism from his family.
He’s made it his mission to help other students navigate similar challenges, stating that the exhibition serves as a way to “break down those barriers” between artistic ambition and familial expectations.
As families come to view the art, parents often begin to recognize the potential for their children to build successful careers in creative fields.
The exhibition is meticulously curated, and Wong emphasizes the care taken in presenting student work.
“We’re not just quickly throwing student work up [on the walls],” he explained.
The focus is on treating student submissions with the same professionalism awarded to globally recognized artists.
Students must learn to prepare their work with precision, simulating the submission process to esteemed institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Broad.
This requires understanding how to handle artwork with care, complete documentation, and condition reporting.
“Part of our role here is to demystify the museum world,” Wong mentioned, highlighting the educational aspect of the exhibition.
Among the featured artists is Tanya Flores Hodgson, who previously studied fine art at Cal State Long Beach.
After a five-year hiatus from creating art, she found herself reinvigorated in the advanced photo classes at ELAC, gaining access to necessary resources and supportive feedback.
The jury for “New Voices,” consisting of local professional artists, selected three of her photographs for the exhibition.
Flores Hodgson’s artistry is deeply reflective of her personal history; having emigrated from Nicaragua at the age of 8, she has not returned since 2018 due to the country’s tumultuous political situation.
Her photographs explore themes of immigration and longing, with one notable piece titled “Desparramadas.”
In this self-portrait, she stands before a plumeria tree—Nicaragua’s national flower—adorned with the words of a poem by Gioconda Belli, a celebrated writer from her homeland.
The term “Desparramadas” translates to scattering what was once whole, perfectly encapsulating her experience as an immigrant.
Another exemplary artist featured in this exhibition is Daisy Rodriguez, a student from L.A. Mission College.
Rodriguez transferred to Mission College after struggling at UC Santa Barbara during the pandemic, where she faced challenges related to housing and long commutes.
After disappointing academic experiences, she sought to realign her path and has since excelled, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and serving as the managing editor for her school’s literary magazine.
Encouraged by her professors, Rodriguez submitted her work to the “New Voices” exhibition, and was overjoyed to learn that her piece was selected.
Her submission, a 24 x 32-inch painting titled “In a melting’s notice,” depicts a small penguin on a piece of ice, drifting toward two formidable-looking tigers.
Rodriguez has embraced her passion for art, which she sidestepped in high school while focusing on college applications but is now determined to integrate art into her future.
As she deliberates the possibility of returning to UC Santa Barbara, Rodriguez is also open to exploring new avenues and opportunities within the art world.
The “New Voices” exhibition not only highlights the talent of these emerging artists but also serves as a critical step in fostering a supportive environment for aspiring creators across the Los Angeles community.
image source from：https://boyleheightsbeat.com/community-college-art-show/
