Unique paintings and sculptures are now on display at Citrus College’s art gallery.
The showcase, “POP Art: Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation,” includes works from artists Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Mark Dean Veca and many more. It has been open since Feb. 20 and will continue through April 30.
After five years of trying to bring the showcase, Citrus College visual arts professor Mike Hillman said he finally made it possible with the help of Frederick R. Weisman’s wife, Billie Milam Weisman.
Billie Weisman is also the director of the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation. The showcase was also curated by her.
Hillman said pop art is important because it is a big part of art history. It was an important movement in art history.
“Pop art was a reaction to the New York School of abstract expressionists,” Hillman said.
He said at the center of the school were artists such as Jackon Pollock who used their art to express themselves in new ways, different from traditional art.
Hillman said the pieces in the showcase are different from traditional art, including a piece where they took Warhol’s four famous paintings and put it all together in one by using silk screen printing, and each of the four paintings can be viewed from certain angles.
One of the pieces was co-created by Hillman himself, along with artist Beau Bradford, the portrait of Frederick R. Weisman at the entrance of the gallery.
“This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for students to see high-quality artwork,” Hillman said.
Dyane Duffy, a fine arts professor at Citrus College who also was involved in organizing the showcase along with class Art 127: Display and Exhibition Design, said the opening of the art gallery makes her feel excited as it is getting more recognition.
“The word has got out about this showcase and more students and people from the area have had the opportunity to come see it,” Duffy said.
Duffy mentioned students will have an opportunity to share their own artwork in response to this showcase, called Citrus Pop, where students choose to display their pop art in the art gallery.
The exhibition dates will be May 20 through July 29. The opening reception will be May 22.
Both Duffy and Hillman said they believe this art gallery will serve as an incredible experience for students, and that pop art will inspire them.
“Pop art is important because it is a response to what is popular, what is currently trending,” Duffy said.
The exhibit requires advance reservations, which can be scheduled at the Citrus College Visual and Performing Arts website.
The exhibit has tour guides with a love for pop art that are willing to share more information about each art piece.
“The beauty of pop culture is taking everyday things and elevating them,” Emily De La Cruz, a tour guide from the exhibit, said. She said she hopes that the exhibit will be a fun experience for anyone who visits it.
