Santa Clara University

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2007. The artistic achievements of faculty in Santa Clara University's Department of Art and Art History will be on view in Experience Teaches at the de Saisset Museum from Oct. 5 through Dec. 8.

From a towering sculpture by Sam Hernández  to a digital animation piece by Marco Marquez and Katherine Aoki, the show offers work in a variety of media—painting, drawing, ceramic and mixed-media sculpture, installation, digital animation, mixed-media, digital and traditional photography, and printmaking. Other featured artists include Renee Billingslea, Kelly Detweiler, Susan Felter, Don Fritz, Francisco "Pancho" Jiménez, David Pace, Trung Pham, S.J., R. Reynolds, and Gerald Sullivan, S.J.

The first faculty exhibition at the museum in almost a decade, Experience Teaches celebrates the dynamic diversity of the art faculty, from tenured and tenure-track professors to long-term lecturers. "The exhibit demonstrates that many studio faculty refuse to be confined by the media-based parameters in which they teach," explained Karen Kienzle, assistant director for exhibitions, education, and community outreach for the de Saisset. "Their work clearly shows how successful they are in juggling the dual roles of educator and practicing artist."

Kienzle said the exhibit serves as a showcase of the department's vitality. "Through their exhibitions, teaching, mentoring, and community engagement, the studio faculty at Santa Clara University continue to make a significant contribution to the artistic vibrancy of both the campus community and the entire region,"Kienzle said

At SCU, the art and art history departments are combined as one. "This unique approach means the program is essentially integrated," Kienzle said. "And that cross dialogue is reflected in the exhibition."

Experience Teaches will open with a free public reception at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. A panel discussion featuring the artists will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays.

About the de Saisset Museum
The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University is the South Bay's free museum of art and history. The museum is one of only two museums in the South Bay accredited by the American Association of Museums. The de Saisset Museum supports SCU's goal of educating the whole person through diverse exhibitions, collections, and educational programs.

About Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California’s Silicon Valley, offers its 8,377 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master’s and law degrees and engineering Ph.D.s. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu.