Ever wonder how far your professors’ artistic passions go? Now you can see at the “Grossmont Open” exhibit currently showing at the Hyde Art Gallery.
The exhibit highlights works submitted by faculty, classified staff and the administration at the college.
Located in Building 22, the Performing and Visual Arts Center, the Hyde gallery hosts a faculty show each fall to showcase paintings, sculptures and an extensive artwork from the minds of familiar faces at Grossmont, mostly from the Art Department.
At the beginning of each Fall semester, the Hyde Art Gallery will host a faculty show to introduce students to the staff of Grossmont, remarkably that of the Art department. The gallery currently showcases paintings, sculptures and an extensive assortment of artworks from the minds of familiar faces at Grossmont.
Gallery Director Alex DeCosta started the exhibit three years ago as the post-pandemic show. DeCosta said Grossmont faculty banded together to not only bring people back into the gallery, but to also “highlight camaraderie amongst our colleagues and show work that was created during the pandemic.”
The exhibit is seen as an introduction to the staff behind many students’ educational pursuits.
“So it’s important not just for art students, but also gives all students on campus a chance to engage with career artists,” DeCosta said.
Various departments on campus, such as English and Dance have conjured assignments for students based around the exhibition. For example, English students may create a literary piece inspired by an artwork in the exhibit as a class assignment.
Near the end of the semester, a shorter student-oriented exhibition is to take place as well, meant to showcase student works created over the course of the semester.
DeCosta said: “Those tend to be obviously the most popular shows because students are involved, and they bring their families, they bring their friends.”
As the academic year is beginning, many students are coming across the exhibit and gallery, possibly for the very first time. Grossmont student Jonathan Shillingburg discovered it just recently.
“I probably will come back to check it out as long as I notice when it’s open,” he said.
The Hyde Gallery was established in 1968 by Marjorie Hyde, Grossmont’s first Art Department chair, to showcase working artists to students on campus. The gallery, along with much of the Art Department, originally resided in Building 25 for about 50 years, until 2021, when the gallery was moved to the space you can find it in today.
The “Grossmont Open” exhibit will run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 19. Walk-in hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The closing reception for the exhibit will be held on Sept. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Even if you go to the gallery outside the scheduled walk-in time, you can find various oversized pieces on display through the outside display window, which is lit at night.