Emeritus Gallery Student Art Exhibition returns with a bustling on-campus reception.
Emeritus Gallery at Santa Monica College (SMC) presented part one of its Emeritus Student Art Exhibition on Thursday night with an on-campus reception, which has not been done since 2019. Emeritus College has been a program focused on teaching older students since 1975, allowing them to further explore their interests and connect with others. The gallery included four walls of art, one being a tribute wall for a student who passed last year. Additionally, various sculptures were seen scattered around the exhibit.
The room was filled with chatter as groups of people shuffled into the crowded gallery to experience the artwork created by Emeritus students. The hot room was filled to the brim with artists posing for pictures with their artwork.
Smack dab in the middle of the gallery stood Deborah Kaufman’s sculpture, “Maximillion’s Dream,” a mixed-media piece showcasing a squirrel popping through a canvas while a dog stands on its hind legs pining for the squirrel. Kaufman said the idea came to her in a dream she had where her dog, Maximillion, was painting and a squirrel popped through the canvas towards him. At first, she wanted the sculpture to be made out of clay, however this ended up being too heavy, so she switched to papier mache.
Kaufman has been an artist since she was 10 years old, as she was always drawing. 52 years later, she continued to pursue her love of art at Emeritus College and fell in love with the classes and the community on campus.
Standing near the floor to ceiling windows was Jesse Benson, the Emeritus gallery curator. Benson was the man of the hour, with people pouring their hearts out to him and praising him as an instructor. Anna Conley, a student of Benson’s and artist who had art on display for the exhibition called “Extremities,” which was inspired by anatomical structures in doctors offices after Conley lost the use of her hands, greeted Benson with a warm hug. Conley said “his presence moves me forward,” referring to Benson and his kindness.
Benson explained how part one of these exhibits are usually in-person and part two is online, however, he had been wanting a celebration like this since 2019, but due to health reasons, the exhibit receptions had to be conducted online.
Towards the back of the gallery was Emeritus student Roshy Farry’s tribute wall. Roshy Farry’s wall was covered with her watercolor paintings of animals, landscapes and portraits of her family. Roshy Farry’s son, Amir Farry, stood in front of her wall talking to guests about his mothers artwork with a glimmer in his eye and a serene smile spread across his face.
Afra Farry, Roshy Farry’s daughter, and Amir Farry said their mother was diagnosed with cancer and watercolor was a form of therapy for her and allowed her to “tap into what she was feeling.” Afra Farry informed Benson of her mother’s passing and he decided to dedicate a wall to Roshy Farry and her artwork. “Art has this way of communicating beyond time and space,” said Benson regarding Roshy Farry’s passing and how her artwork lives on.
The room continued to fill with eager individuals and artists could be seen all around the room conversing with others about their art and their love for the Emeritus program. While speaking about the program and being a teacher for Emeritus, Benson said that as an instructor, you do not realize the impact you can have on someone positively.
The exhibit will run until June 6, with part two being held online on May 22. The gallery is open to view during gallery hours, which are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.