Jones Art Gallery Hosts Voices Through Art: Rising Scholars Art Exhibition

Saturday, May 4, 2024

By Deanna Rea

Bakersfield College’s Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is currently hosting a special exhibition in collaboration with the Rising Scholars Program: 2024 Voices Through Art, a Rising Scholars Art Exhibition. Twenty-five individual artworks, each crafted with diverse mediums, will be displayed along the gallery walls, highlighting a unique expression of artistic talent from the Rising Scholars students.

The gallery provides a unique opportunity to actively engage in the community through art and education. Each piece creatively reflects the artist’s journey, growth, and self-expression. Our Art Professor, Joseph Tipay, has personally screened these artworks.

The Rising Scholars Program is a unique educational initiative dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system. The program is constantly striving to create a supportive environment offering participants opportunities for personal and academic growth. This exhibition is a testament to the program’s commitment to fostering transformative change by empowering students who seek a successful re-entry into society through higher education and art.

Angelica Perez, the Director of the Rising Scholars Program, shared her heartfelt thoughts on the event: “What makes this event special is it’s a way for our incarcerated students to feel connected to our main campus. Through their artwork, we get a snapshot about who they are, their memories, and the feelings they experience.”

This exciting Rising Scholars Exhibition will remain open until May 8th, 2024. The gallery is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM.