Community
The Monterey Peninsula College Gallery presents an exhibition celebrating the work of California photographers who share a common foundation: they all began their artistic journeys at community colleges. This show highlights the transformative impact of community college education in shaping creative voices by bringing together artists who pursued their education outside the traditional university system.
The exhibition, featuring black-and-white photography alongside alternative photographic processes, pays homage to California’s rich photographic traditions while showcasing contemporary perspectives from diverse artists. It stands as a testament to the power of community college education, demonstrating how non-traditional academic pathways foster artistic growth.
Opening Reception: April 11, 4-7 PM
Exhibition Dates: April 7 - May 26
Location: MPC Art Gallery
Additional Exhibit Viewings: Open by appointment only. Contact Becky Brister at photography@mpc.edu
Featured Photographers:
Chris Bassett
Gabrielle Biasi
Jonathan Michael Castillo
Kat De Guzman
Karissa Haff
Jesus Isabeles
Tori C McCrea
Gregory Mettler
Athena Peterson Amylee Rachael
Cristina Serrano
Kaela Watso
Dan Winters
& more!
Special Events
Online Artist Talk:
Jonathan Michael Castillo in Conversation with Becky Brister
Thursday, April 10, 3:00 - 4:00pm PST
Free for CPA members; $10 for non-members
Not a member? Join today!
Register before April 9 at 6:00pm . You will receive a zoom link the evening before the talk.
Join us for a conversation with Jonathan Michael Castillo, a visual artist, photographer, and educator. Castillo’s work explores social issues through documentary and fine art photography, earning him recognition such as the Diane Dammeyer Fellowship in Photographic Arts and Social Issues (2019-2021). His photographs have been featured in The New Yorker, Wired, The Chicago Tribune, and on BBC’s World Update, among others.
Castillo’s recent commissions include a large-scale permanent installation at O’Hare International Airport as part of the Terminal Five expansion project and work for the City of Chicago’s Citywide Plan in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Planning and Development. His exhibitions span prestigious venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, Aperture Gallery, and the Center for Creative Photography.
This discussion, moderated by Becky Brister, Chair of the Monterey Peninsula College Photography Department, will delve into Castillo’s artistic process, his exploration of contemporary social narratives, and the impact of photography in shaping public discourse. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into Castillo’s compelling visual storytelling and his contributions to contemporary photography.
Jonathan Michael Castillo is a visual artist, photographer, and educator based in Chicago. He was the 2019-2021 recipient of the Diane Dammeyer Fellowship in Photographic Arts and Social Issues. Jonathan was included in the 2021 Hyde Park Art Center's Ground Floor Biennial in Chicago and was a finalist for the WMA Commission in Hong Kong. His work has been featured with The New Yorker, Wired, The Chicago Tribune, CBS: Los Angeles, and Brazil's G1 Globo. He has been interviewed on the BBC's "World Update" and Los Angeles public radio stations KPCC and KCRW.
Jonathan was recently commissioned to create a large-scale permanent installation of his work at O'Hare International Airport as part of the Terminal Five expansion project. In 2023 he was commissioned to make work for the city of Chicago's CitywidePlan in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Planning and Development. Exhibitions include those at the Art Institute Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, Photo LA 2020, the Center for Creative Photography, Aperture Gallery, House of Lucie, Filter Photo Gallery, Ralph Arnold Gallery, and the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks. Jonathan is represented by Samuel Maenhoudt Gallery in Belgium. His education includes a BFA from California State University Long Beach and MFA from Columbia College Chicago.
Becky Brister is a photographer and educator whose work explores the intersection of history, memory, and social narratives. She received her MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her B.A. from the University of California, Riverside. In addition to her artistic practice, she is dedicated to innovative pedagogy focused on student equity and advocating for accessible and inclusive learning environments. She engages students in technical skills and critical discourse on the evolving role of photography in contemporary culture. Through her photography and teaching, Becky challenges traditional narratives and encourages a deeper understanding of visual literacy, representation, and the historical impact of photographic imagery. She is currently the Chair of the Monterey Peninsula College Photography Department.
Don't miss the exhibition that coincides with this talk, opening at the Monterey Peninsula College Art Gallery the following day, Friday, April 11th!