Museum Features Diverse Works of Alumni

For the first time, Westmont dedicates an entire art show to its talented alumni in “Journeys: Westmont Alumni Artists’ Invitational” on Oct. 18-Nov. 17 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. An opening reception with the 12 artists on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 4-6 p.m. at the museum is free and open to the public.

The alumni, including Ben Caldwell ’06, Robin Eley ’01, Cheyenne Ellis ’00, John Morra ’85 and Cheryl Ann Thomas ’65, will display several different types of art such as painting, photography, sculpture, furniture design, assemblage and drawing.

“They’ll be some great art in varying media — it will be diverse,” says Judy L. Larson, Askew professor of art history and director of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. “All the artists have a similar undergraduate education, yet they have gone in different directions. The work speaks to the foundation in art that our students are receiving here.”

“The show is an important reflection of some success stories from our art department over the past 26 years,” says Christopher Rupp ’00, museum collections manager who will also be exhibiting his artwork. “The show is in conjunction with the college’s 75th anniversary and is a retrospective of where we have come and where we are going. By no means is this an all encompassing show — it’s merely a selection of some featured alumni. There are many more doing great things.”

Other alumni who will be showing their work include David Shelton ’70, Judy Neunuebel ’69, Joel Phillips ’11, Nicholas Price ’06, Sharon Schock ’06, Cory Steffen ’97.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed Sundays and college holidays. For more information, please visit www.westmontmuseum.org or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162.