Cal Poly’s Art and Design Department celebrated its 55th anniversary with an exhibition of the art of 20 alumni spanning generations.
The exhibition encourages students to discover different kinds of art they might not have considered creating.
“[The faculty] gave a certain idea of what they want their students to be influenced by,” Garet Zook said. “So, if we bring a graphic designer, a professor might specifically want to show their typeface work.”
The 2006 Cal Poly alum Zook coordinates the galley and teaches 3D Design and Sculpture at Cal Poly.
This year’s exhibition features sculptures, oil paintings, canvas art, furniture, pottery, wine bottle designs and a digital portfolio. The selection process involved committee members recommending alumni who have been successful in the art world after graduation.
Although featured artists select the art they wish to display in the gallery, faculty suggested to artists which one of their works should be displayed, based on student need and interest.
Exploring the work and artistic endeavors of other artists, an experience provided by the alumni exhibition can play a huge role in helping students discover their artistic passions, according to graphic design alum Allison Freeman. Her online portfolio was displayed at the gallery.
During her time at Cal Poly, Freeman met an older student designing window displays for Anthropologie, which turned into a moment of realization for her.
“I realized the projects that were exciting me the most in school were the ones that made it from the screen into the physical world,” Freeman said.
Since doing an Anthropologie internship of her own, then moving on to doing set design for the skincare brand Curology, Freeman has transitioned to creating set designs for celebrity photoshoots.
Freeman’s set designs have been featured in magazines like GQ and Time. She also created sets for photoshoots featuring celebrities with Sydney Sweeney, Danny DeVito, Ricky Martin, and Julia Fox.
Freeman said that university art programs often have a “prescribed path” for students, so she felt it was especially important for her work to be displayed at the exhibition.
“You can take the skills you’re learning in school and totally blaze your own trail,” Freeman said.
Graphic design alum Patrick Concepción discovered a talent for designing posters, two of which are on display at the exhibition. He has sold 10 million posters, according to Zook.
Zook has developed an artistic niche of his own – a passion for sculpture. Front and center at the exhibition is his sculpture of Venus, crafted from colorful cast foam.
“This was eight different parts that went together and all had to be bolted together,” Zook explained. “Then you flip it over, mix different colors of foam, and then pour them in and expand and fill the space. Then you mold the whole thing.”
The 55th Anniversary Alumni Art Exhibition is open until October 18, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.