Emeritus Student Photography Exhibition 2026 Now Open to the Public
On Thursday, March 5, the Santa Monica College Emeritus Art Gallery opened its doors for the 2026 Annual Student Photography Exhibition showcasing the photographic works of the Emeritus community. This was the first photography exhibit in six years following its closure during the pandemic. The opening reception began at 5 p.m. and ran until 6:30 p.m., and attendees, along with photographers were able to mingle and explain the stories behind their work.
The gallery exhibited up to 53 digital photographs displayed on five different walls for visitors to view clockwise, ranging from landscapes to portraits. The exhibit highlighted different photographic technical styles, showcasing how photographers captured their perspective through moments, people, textures and scenery in a new light.
Additionally, several of the photographs were available for purchase with prices ranging from $125 to $500, while some pieces were listed as “Price upon request.”
During the opening, there was a high turnout as the compact space filled quickly with photographers and visitors. People walked through the gallery, observing the images and taking in the artists’ experiences.
“It's an incredible community that supports each other, and that are here to see each other's work. These are people, in many cases, who are professionals in aesthetic industries and creative industries like photography and design. There are students who have never touched a camera until they took their Emeritus classes,” Jesse Benson, Emeritus Art Gallery curator and professor, said.
Photographer Shifra Wylder’s, “Woolsey at Westward” (2024), located at Wall 4, pictured a young boy at the corner running away from the ocean during the Woolsey fires. Wylder said, “We had evacuated to Westward Beach, and you could see the ominous black clouds coming through. There’s actually a little boat out here. And just the contrast between the black clouds and the sand, and this innocent little boy was just rushing up the sand—it was just picture perfect.”
Wylder’s process of selecting “the one” is an instinctual, emotional decision rather than a matter of technicality. “For me, it’s a feeling. I can take multiple photos and I’ll go, well, how does this make me feel? This is the one that just captured me,” Wylder said. She explained that the emotion captured in the photograph was seeing the fun within the chaos of the moment.
“Little Island” (2025), taken by Yvonne Yao, pictured a bright blue sky over an abstract structure above water. "It's in New York City, where I'm actually originally from. But this project is a man-made island off the west side of Manhattan. And it's beautiful, it's very well done. There's landscaping in there, there's little sort of amphitheater areas. You can have shows, and it's almost like a Central Park, but on a smaller scale," Yao said.
Yao approaches photography with a structural eye, but also embraces the atmospheric elements. "So, I'm an architect by training, and I take a lot of pictures of buildings, but I do like landscapes. I like incorporating the weather," she said. Her perspective reflects the marriage of a technical background with creative exploration, using photography as a medium to unite forms.
“To see them become joyful about this is just remarkable, so I just want what's right for them,” Benson said.
The exhibition is free and runs through April 24, during the gallery hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.