MSJC Art Gallery exhibit features nature, nurturing

Press release from Mt. San Jacinto College:

SAN JACINTO - The Mt. San Jacinto College Art Gallery, California Family Life Center and Worth Visual Arts are pleased to present Art, Recognition, Transition, Education, Reciprocation, Youth (a.r.t.e.r.y.) 2024, “The Eclipse Project – Nature & Nurturing” exhibit. This exhibition marks the 18th collaboration with CFLC, a.r.t.e.r.y., and Worth Visual Arts.

The mentor art project explores communication avenues in the sciences, nurturing, nature and how we as humans are directly connected in many similar ways - both in nature and nurturing. Once again, it’s exciting to see the eclipse analogy of intergenerational mentoring, and nature’s nurturing lessons integrate through journaling and art.

With new scientific knowledge of nature, trees, forests and our human connections, we have found deeper understanding as to how and why nurturing is so important to survive together peacefully with nature and our human relationships. Science has proven that human nurturing is essential for survival with direct links to nature’s schooling, “mother trees”, growth and community.

Our human commonalities run strong with nature’s lessons, providing us with a foundation for growth. Suzanne Simard brings us back to nature’s examples, saying, “…The old and young (trees) are perceiving communicating and responding to one another by emitting chemical signals. Chemicals identical to our own neurotransmitters … The older trees are able to discern which seedlings are their own kin. The old trees nurture the young ones and provide them food and water just as we do with our own children. It is enough to make one pause, take a deep breather and contemplate the social nature of the forest and how this is critical for evolution … the old trees are mothering their children.”

Mentoring, art and community service are key elements to CFLCʼs a.r.t.e.r.y. Programs. CFLC and Worth Visual Arts were awarded the 2015 Americans for the Arts, National Association of Counties (NACo) and Honorable Mention from the Association of Counties Arts & Culture. The Eclipse Project exhibit emphasizes mentoring skills, focused on the transference of creative energy, and goals through art within their communities.

A.r.t.e.r.y. opens opportunities to future career paths to youth mentors, while bridging all program objectives to positive endeavors within their community. By exhibiting their artwork at the MSJC Art Gallery, youth are exposed to college as a more attainable path for their future while assimilating comfortably in a college atmosphere.

Senior and mentor introspective journals will be displayed and are a crucial part of the a.r.t.e.r.y. Program. The journal entries help reveal the artists thoughts on their past and present as their lives change and grow beyond their homes and comfort zones.

The show has been made possible by the cooperative efforts of the MSJC Art Gallery, Worth Visual Arts Programs, Michele Worth, California Family Life Centers (CFLC); Planet Youth, Empower Youth, Rubidoux YOC. Participating collaborators are Boardwell - Stratton Community Center, 6th Grade after school program and Camelot Retirement Center.