With every word he speaks there is excitment, with every movement he makes there is passion, and when one looks into his eyes, a passion for art exudes from Dane K. Heathcock.

Through his art, Heathcock, art student and sculptor, expresses an interest in opening up skeletons hidden inside of closets.

A way of expressing this is by including elements that people can relate to, either by personal or social experiences.

His work, along with other accomplished artists, can be seen at the Student Art Show, which starts Monday and ends June 4. There will also be a reception May 21 from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m.

Art works shown in classrooms

During the reception, the art department will host an open house. All visitors are encouraged to attend the art studios where demonstrations, lectures and additional artwork on display will be presented.

“The gallery isn’t the only place they could come to see art,” Susanna Meiers, art coordinator, said. “There is very good art shown in other classrooms, lots of it.”

Heathcock said he is proud to be part of the student show, and also privileged to have his work placed on the invitation card.

“It has been a terrific boost to my momentum as an artist as well as a person,” Heathcock said.

However, he said he hopes that it does not take away from other people’s work.

“I’ve looked at some of the work in the gallery and it is awesome,” Heathcock said. “I hope that the other artists feel as good about my piece being displayed next by their work as I feel about my piece being next by their work.”

Sophomore Jose Lopes is another artist who will have three pieces of his artwork displayed in the gallery, including a life drawing, a print and a painting.

“It’s a privilege,” Lopes said. “It’s a good way to be rewarded for my hard work.”

Works compared to Goya

Lopes’artwork has been compared to that of Francisco Goya, a painter and printmaker during the French Revolution era.

Goya had a great imagination and painted with emotion, Lopes said.

“There is a certain darkness to my artwork,” Lopes said. “It’s about feelings and emotions more than anything else.”

There’s no doubt in Lopes’ mind that art is his future; he wants to make a living doing art and art alone.

“I don’t want to really do commercial art, but fine art like painting and sculpting,” Lopes said.

For other students like Liz Rosetta, art is something that comes naturally, but more importantly, something that she has to do.

“I get depressed if I’m not doing art,” Rosetta said. “I work to support myself, but after that everything is art.”

Displaying EC’s artistic qualities

This event is an opportunity for the surrounding communities to witness the quality of artwork that is being created at EC.

“I think the art department at El Camino is very special,” Medora Wildenberg, art professor, said. “There’s no one like us anywhere in the area, so we represent really all of the emerging artists in the South Bay.”

Some of the media that will be on display are: drawings, paintings, printmaking, graphics, 2-D, 3-D material and much more.

The Art Gallery produces the Student Art Show only once a year and is not only for students, but also for established artists and instructors as well.

“It would be nice if we could have more student art shows, but I don’t think it’s possible due to the scheduling,” Lopes said. “The other shows are of great importance, too.”

Art show has several purposes

The student show has multiple purposes. One intention is to prepare students to show their work in front of an audience.

“The purpose of the student show is to give students the experience of exhibiting a professional situation,” Meiers said. “It also gives them a taste of what it’s like to have their artwork shown in public.”

Another purpose is not so much for current students, but for students who are looking forward to joining EC in the near future.

“It lets them know what kind of art program we offer,” Wildenberg said. “It also helps the art students coming from high schools transition into college.”

It takes a great amount of energy from students and faculty members to set up the gallery.

“This is a lot of work,” Wildenberg said. “We hope that everyone could come and share it with us after all the hard work.”

The instructors in the art department select the artworks that will be presented at the student show. All faculty members who have studio classes are given two entries per class.

“They can select the best work from this semester or the previous semester,” Meiers said. “They can also select work by the same person; they are not obligated to select two different people.”

Meiers has been doing the show for 18 years, but said that each time is a different experience for her.

“I get to think up the topics for the gallery, and I get to go and find the artists,” Meiers said. “It’s fun and creative for me.”

More information may be obtained by contacting Susanna Meiers at (310) 660-3543 or email the gallery staff at [email protected].