Valley College Presents New Sculpture & Student Art Awards

On May 6th, the San Bernardino Valley College Art Department hosted two events: an unveiling of a donated sculpture and an awards ceremony for student scholarship winners from the college’s annual student art show. The first event took place outside the Allen and Clara Gresham Art Gallery as Professor Jim Stewart unveiled a 6-foot-tall cast sculpture of a standing crane. The sculpture, originally commissioned as a centerpiece in the lobby of a business center owned by Allen Gresham, Chuck Obershaw and Edward “Duke” Hill, has found a new home at the college in front of the Gresham Art Gallery, thanks to the generosity of three families: the Greshams, the Obershaws and the Hills. Sculptor Joni McDaniel Chandler and her husband Charles were also present at the unveiling, as were San Bernardino Community College District Trustees Donna Ferracone and Gloria Macias Harrison, along with SBVC President Dr. Gloria Fisher, Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Kay Weiss, Art Department Chair Dr. Mandi Batalo and long-time Valley College supporter and former Mayor of San Bernardino, Dr. Judith Valles. Not long after the unveiling, the awards ceremony got underway. The SBVC Art Club provided light refreshments and drinks. Inside the gallery were 249 pieces of art by 91 students. Works included ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, glassblowing and sculpture. While patrons were admiring the art, faculty walked around and voted on the award-winners, which included monetary awards. According to Batalo, the faculty chair of the art department, the prizes were a surprise to the students. “Monetary awards are given to the students to acknowledge and appreciate their hard work. Awards are not announced until the ceremony.” Dr. Batalo opened the award ceremony outside, on the art department quad, with a short welcome speech and art department faculty then announced the awards, beginning with Certificates of Merit. The Certificate of Merit was presented to students with four or more works that were accepted into the show. A total of 29 certificates were awarded. Next, Kiwanis of Rialto awarded a scholarship and an award of $100 to Eric Carltock. Next up was the Beryl Larkin Award, named for an artist in the community who supported the SBVC Art Department. After Ms. Larkin passed away, SBVC decided to honor her by setting up a scholarship fund known as the Beryl Larkin Award. The award provided $200 each to two recipients, Tim Martinez and Matthew Sadergaski. Next, the Tom Akin Award was presented, named for a local business person who came to the Art Department to study glassblowing. He had a fond affection for the Art Department and after his passing, a scholarship was set up in his honor. Four students received Tom Akin Awards of $175 each: Robyn Dixon, Albert Huntoon, Rhonda Limbacher and David Taylor. The Friends of the Gallery, a group of art patrons who help out by providing the art gallery with supplies, guest speakers and workshops,was acknowledged with a nice round of applause. The Friends then acknowledged Clara and Allen Gresham, thanked the Art Club board and Art Club president Cathy Livoni for their hard work and dedication through art sales and fundraising events. The Friends then presented11 awards. Nine students received $100 each and two received $50. The students that received the $100 award were Betelhem Alemu, Drawing; Savannah Castaneda, Personal Development in Ceramics; Flavio Andres Chaves, April Devers, Digital Design; Painting; Ezra Hunt, Glassblowing;Manuel Lara, Ceramics; Cathy Livoni, Sculpture; Mary Phillips, Design in Glass; Gloria Posada, 2-D Design; and Stephanie Silva, Photography. The two recipients that received the $50 scholarships were Vincent Padillaand Crystal Thai. Lastly, the Art Club announced its Student Peer Awards.The Art Club gave Honorable Mention Certificates to students in painting, digital photography, drawing, ceramics, design in glass and glassblowing. The 1st and 2nd place winners received cash awards and the other awardees received art materials donated by the SBVC bookstore. The second place winner was Ben Esquivilla for his glassblowing piece, “Blowing of Flames.” The first place and $150 winner was Matthew Sadergaski for his drawing, “Life Goes On.” Adjunct art instructor Dion Cuevas closed the ceremony, thanking everyone for attending. The gallery stayed open so patrons could view the entire exhibit, winners and all.