The Whittier Art Gallery is currently showcasing its newest exhibition, “The Pursuit of Art”.

A reception was held at the gallery for the artists and the public on Sept. 20. The reception was held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and had a massive collection of artwork on display for everyone to enjoy. Attendants enjoyed refreshments such as cheese, wine, grapes, and juices as they walked around and studied the art.

The exhibition displayed art work from talented artists, including Rio Hondo’s very own art professor, Ron Reeder. The two featured artists were Nancy Enkoji and Peggy Nishio, and the guest artists were Linda Stevens, Ron Reeder, and Robin Brooks.

The artists had their individual pieces up for sale, while the artists themselves were there to help you understand their work and the meaning behind them. Each artist explained their experiences, why they had made that specific piece, and how they were emotionally connected to their work.

Enkoji’s family lived and worked at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, TX. A majority of her art work represents her Japanese heritage as a lot of her work includes blossoming flowers, geishas, and Japanese fish.

Nishio and Enjoki are sisters, but their artwork differs in great ways. Nishio’s art includes Peggigami and Organic Peggigami. Her Peggigami is 3-D-esque, which features colorful flowers created on recycled paper.

Linda Stevens had quilts with many amazing patterns on display while Ron Reeder showcased handmade art pieces.
Robin Brooks uses fiber paper, in which she places together different types of colors and textures.

The way all of these artists differed in their own way made the exhibit feel alive and spontaneous. It included 3-D art, paintings, handmade art, quilts, fabrics, and colorful textured papers. Each art piece was up for sale and ranged between $50 to $1,000.

“The Pursuit of Art” began showcasing on Sept. 17 and will conclude on Sept. 27.

The next local art event in Whittier will be the Whittier ARTcrawl Festival, which will be held on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in historic Uptown Whittier.

The Festival will include artists, photographers, shops, entertainment, and food. It is open to the public and is free for all ages. For more information, visit http://www.uptowncrawlers.com/.