Oxnard College Invests in Arts Programs for Ventura County Families

OXNARD, Calif. - Aug. 28, 2023 - PRLog -- Oxnard College celebrated major investments in its arts programs and facilities on Thursday. The campus held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Art + Design complex, which includes upgraded classrooms, state-of-the-art studios and a myriad of new art supplies to serve students beginning this fall.

The day's festivities highlighted the contributions of alumni through the dedication of the college's most recent mural, designed by alumni artists and located in the campus Outdoor Amphitheater. The piece, entitled the Community of Resilience Mural, reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic by honoring those who were lost and celebrating the community's resilience. The day also included the opening of a new Alumni Art Exhibition in the McNish Gallery of Art set to run through September 27.

"We are proud to continue investing in Oxnard College's excellent arts programs and facilities," shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, interim president of Oxnard College. "Our renovated Art + Design Complex and McNish Gallery of Art will provide students with incredible resources and opportunities to hone their skills and grow artistically. We're also glad to showcase the work of our talented alumni in our newest mural and in the McNish Art Gallery's current exhibition."

These projects were made possible through college funds as well as private donations. The $2.5 million Art + Design complex houses new curriculum, including digital art design, and the college will eventually bring on additional full-time faculty beginning in Spring 2024. The project was partially funded through a half-million-dollar donation from the Oxnard College Foundation. Additionally, the McNish Art Gallery's renovation was funded through a $25,000 donation from the Carnegie Art Cornerstones. Finally, the campus' mural was funded through a $19,000 grant from the California Arts Council with additional support provided by the Oxnard College Foundation.

"We know that our students and community benefit immeasurably from access to high-quality arts education and exhibits," said Dr. Amy Edwards, dean of liberal studies at Oxnard College. "The unveiling of so many new art installations and facilities makes good on Oxnard College's commitment to bringing the arts to local families and our students. We encourage the community to come enjoy these spaces and experience our impactful programming."

The McNish Gallery of Arts' Alumni Art Exhibition showcases paintings, drawings, sculptures and digital art created by the college's alumni artists. It can be visited for free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, now through Wednesday, September 27. Appointments can also be scheduled by contacting Professor Christine Morla at cmorla@vcccd.edu. For additional information regarding Oxnard College's latest investments in its arts programs, contact James Schuelke at jschuelke@vcccd.edu, 805-678-5275.