'Nature & Nurturing' Art Installation Graces MSJC Art Gallery

SAN JACINTO, CA—Visual arts students are transforming the Mt. San Jacinto College Art Gallery with a new installation entitled "Nature & Nurturing." The installation will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 25 through April 18 at the MSJC Art Gallery at 1499 N. State Street, Building 1400, San Jacinto.

The artists' reception was planned for 4 - 7 p.m. on March 26 at the MSJC Art Gallery.

According to a recent news release, this exhibition marks the college's eighteenth collaboration with the California Family Life Center, Art, Recognition, Transition, Education, Reciprocation, Youth (a.r.t.e.r.y.), and Worth Visual Arts.

The installation is a mentor art project that explores communication avenues in the sciences, nurturing, and nature, as well as how 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 integrated through journaling and art," an MSJC spokesperson wrote in the release, adding that the art is all about the connection between nature and people.

"With new scientific knowledge of nature, trees, forests, and our human connections, we have found a deeper understanding as to how and why nurturing is so important to survive together peacefully with nature and our human relationships," they wrote. "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: '…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 and provide them with food and water just as we do with our 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.'

"With the Eclipse project, mentoring, art, and journaling, we hope to offer multiple generations the opportunities to help nurture, grow, and learn these important findings from nature and each other," they said.

Numerous awards have been won based upon this collaboration between artists and students, according to the school.

"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 and is 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.

Visit the installation at the MSJC gallery from March 25 – April 18. Learn more at: www.msjc.edu/artgallery.