Annual photo show but no art show

Scheduled at the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery, "The Annual Photography Show," opening April 23 and "The SMC Art Mentor Student Show" have been scheduled after spring break and at the end of May respectively.

The on-going construction at the Madison campus has resulted in several exhibitions being either rescheduled, or cut short. The construction has also somewhat limited accessibility to exhibitions taking place at the Madison campus.

As for the "Annual Student Art show," which is held at the same gallery, it has been tentatively cancelled.

All of this has led to a change in plans for many students and art followers alike. "My cousin studies at the Art Institute of Chicago and I was telling her about how cool our programs here were," said former Santa Monica College student Samuel Chia. "He was initially planning to visit during her break and I was going to take her to the student-mentor exhibition. I guess now she might not be able to catch it after all."

As for other students they have had problems, such as parking and miscommunication concerning how much the construction is affecting the art gallery.

"I was actually here for the 'Digital Art Duo' exhibition some weeks back, but an attendant at the car-park told me I couldn't park there because of construction," said Chia. "There wasn't much street parking then, so I ended up going to the Third Street Promenade."

As for a solution to the issue, the art department has not been able to find one as of yet, but they are still open to any leads or suggestions.

"We have had to shorten the exhibitions so we could be out of the art gallery by June 20," said Gallery Director Marian Winsryg. "We are in the process of looking for a temporary location to house the art gallery during construction. We do not have any leads as yet, but will continue to try to create a space for future students and contemporary artists to have exhibitions."

The "Annual Photography Show" opens Monday, April 18 and runs through Saturday, May 7, at SMC's Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery, located at SMC's Madison Campus, Santa Monica Blvd. & 11th St., and the SMC Photography Gallery, on the 2nd floor of Drescher Hall. For information, call (310) 434-4289, or (310) 434-3434.