Creating opportunities for artists and community

Por Jennifer Coburn

Platt College San Diego School of Multimedia Design recently partnered with the Chicano Art Gallery in Barrio Logan to commemorate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The result is an exhibition, presenting various artistic representations, including paintings on canvas, graphic design, and sculpture, on display at Chicano Art Gallery through Nov. 7.

Of the dozens of artists featured in the show, 12 are current students or recent graduates of Platt College, and one is an instructor.

Curated by Platt writing instructor Nicole Lewis and alumna Bianca Reyes, the show seeks to provide an opportunity for students to not only explore the tradition of Dia de los Muertos but the thriving arts community of Barrio Logan as well.

“Our goal in developing any art show is to allow students to grow as artists by examining the diverse community in which we live,” Lewis said. “We also want them to come away with a greater experience in a professional setting where they must meet deadlines and expectations. This show provided just that.”

San Diego native and Platt College student Gilberto Gonzalez said he loves anything to do with Day of the Dead and was eager to mix traditional elements with his “new skool twist.”

His graphic design “Reina de los Muertos” is a way to honor the dead and express his individual style.

“I grew up in Golden Hill and Barrio Logan, which is an art haven where I was inspired to do my own,” Gonzalez said.

Participating in the Platt College-produced art show transformed the way student artist, Kimberly Nixon, feels about death.

“Before researching Dia de los Muertos, I always viewed death as scary and ominous, but this tradition introduced me to a beautiful new way of thinking about it,” she said. “Death is a part of living and we need to embrace the idea and just live to the fullest and not be scared because dying is not the end, but just the beginning of the afterlife. I love the idea of being able to celebrate my grandmother who passed away a few years ago, and feel comfort in thinking that she can come visit me on this day. I now have a happier, more hopeful view of death.”

Other students used the opportunity to make a creative statement about social issues. In his graphic design “Bulletproof,” Phillip Encina said he wanted to address homicide by police officers.

“I have made many friends in the low-income neighborhood I live [in] and seeing the rise in wrongful deaths of so many people in the community makes me sad and scared for the safety of people,” he said. “Creating art is a way to express that frustration and honor the dead.”

“We could not be more proud of all of the students who participated in the show,” Reyes said. “Platt College is so grateful to the Chicano Art Gallery and all of the people who came out to support the artists and their work.”

Chicano Art Gallery is located at 2117 Logan Ave. in Barrio Logan. The exhibition, featuring Platt College students and graduates and focused on Dia de los Muertos, runs through Nov. 7. Follow Chicano Art Gallery on Facebook.

Platt College is a private institution located at 6250 El Cajon Blvd., in La Mesa. Founded in 1879 it offers degrees from associates through bachelor’s in science. For more information about Platt College, visit platt.edu.

—Jennifer Coburn is a local freelance writer.