it all happened at the SIDESHOW

Jewel and feather adorned show horses skirted the open doors from which music and the scent of popcorn lifted into the air as patrons filtered in and out of fINdings Art Center on July 1^st, 2010.

Inside the gallery “Sideshow”, a month long art exhibit featuring the work of South Bay design students centered on the theme of circus freaks was showcased. On opening night, in conjunction with San Pedro’s First Thursdays, ART, MUSIC, POPCORN and FREAKS including the bearded lady, circus doll, ringmaster and other odd characters were delivered to a crowd of standing room only family, friends, and community whom were all out to support and admire the work.

This was a first for the South Bay Design department, bringing the work of the students out into a formal art gallery setting off campus. The show provided a venue for student work to be exhibited for an extended period of time, one month, and the chance for students to sell their work with the proceeds going toward their education. The public responded with record sales for an opening night at the location. Congratulation to all students who sold work and to the patrons whom invested in not only the artwork they purchased but also the educational experience they helped fund.

The show was student driven, with faculty and staff advisors, Students were given the opportunity to organize and implement the gallery art opening and extended show. Students from each of the design programs submitted work as a student committee prepared publicity posters, postcards, artist directory, space planning and all details related to the event/show.

Opening night ended with accolades for student work, the positive publicity for Westwood College and for fINdings Art Center and the community visibility gained by working collaboration in the City of San Pedro.

A Special Thanks to the Student Committee:

Celine Bayla (Visual Communications)

Yalda Yazdanpanah (Visual Communications)

Suji Ratnayake (Game Art)

David Martinez (Game Art)

Lillian Martinez (Game Art)

Faculty advisors

Alicia Gorecki

Anna Tuason (Program Chair)

Tuan Hua (Graduate Advisor)