The new photographic art gallery, “Quintessence,” opened up to the public on Oct. 11 in the new College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) building at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
Large framed photos of flowers and other natural images are neatly hung around the exhibit, all showcasing the work of Roxana “Rocky” Keland, an alumna from the Visual and Public Art (VPA) department at CSUMB.
The VPA department “dedicates the exhibit to the memory of Keland,” who not only graduated from CSUMB, but also helped fund the creation of many murals and art pieces in Monterey County, including the “Skylight” Mural in front of the CAHSS building.
The repeated use of flowers in Keland’s photos “are still lifes that hold her values, identity, privilege, feminism, and complex emotions,” according to the VPA department.
The exhibit has caught the eyes of many students and faculty who pass through the CAHSS building. “Even the outside of it seemed cool and artistic,” said CSUMB student Grace Douglas.
Adina Vasquez, a VPA minor at CSUMB, works at the exhibit in between classes. “A lot of people come by to browse the exhibit,” said Vasquez, “and hardcore art students get into asking questions about Keland’s pieces.”
Vasquez also thinks it’s “great that the exhibit is free for everyone, so more people are able to enjoy it.”
Keland’s exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday for viewing.