Grossmont College Celebrates Black History Month

EL CAJON, CA (Feb. 4, 2014) – To honor the movements, traditions and legacies of peoples of the African diaspora, Grossmont College will host a variety of educational and entertainment events throughout February as part of Black History Month.

Tim Wise

Highlighted events include:

• National race expert Tim Wise will talk about “Race, Racism and White America,” at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Griffin Gate (a sign language interpreter will be available at this event); this event follows a screening of the documentary, “White Like Me,” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, in Bldg. 26, room 220 
• Award-winning poet, playwright and author reg e gaines will read from his selected works at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Griffin Gate; this event immediately precedes a screening of the documentary, “The Night James Brown Saved Boston”
• SACRA/PROFANA, dubbed “San Diego’s Go-To Chorale Ensemble” by the Union-Tribune in 2012, will perform “Dream Variations,” based on the works of Langston Hughes, at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, in Griffin Center; Grossmont College’s Gospel Choir, directed by Ken Anderson, will also perform with SACRA/PROFANAGrossmont College Jazz Ensemble will perform at noon, Wednesdays, in Griffin Center

All events are free and open to the public. To find a complete listing of Black History Month events, visit Grossmont.edu. For additional information, contact Student Affairs at 619-644-7600.

Grossmont College’s Black History Month activities are organized by the Black History Month Planning Committee and sponsored by the World Arts and Cultures Committee.

Three San Diego Ceramists Use Simple Clay to Speak Volumes

El Cajon, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2014) – The Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College is pleased to announce “Cross Currents – Three Visions in Clay,” running Jan. 27 through Feb. 20.

Levi Casias' installation in Hyde Art Gallery; image by Levi Casias

The exhibition includes the work of three San Diego ceramists, including Levi Casias, Lee Puffer and John Oliver Lewis, who utilize the medium of clay to speak to their personal vision and artistic sensibility. 


“The mystical, the numinous and the unexplainable are the subjects that preoccupy my artwork,” Casias said. “Cosmology, existentialism and Catholicism in all its manifestations also play an underlying role in my work.” 

Though each artist produces a distinctly unique style of work, they share a deep sense of personal iconography and passion to communicate emotionally and intellectually.

John Oliver Lewis' "whip top;"image by John Oliver Lewis

According to Lewis, “My current body of work employs the disciplines of painting, drawing and ceramics to create sculptures and installations that generate an erratic sense of purpose. These flights of imagination are supported by the inspection of architecture and natural land formations, as well as cartoons, caricature, knickknacks and candy.” 

However, Puffer’s work takes a different tack. 

“By fragmenting the human form and manipulating gesture and expression, my sculpture explores emotion, politics and relationships with humor, pathos and irony.” 

An opening event will be held from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Hyde Gallery, located in Building No. 25 on the Grossmont College campus located at 8800 Grossmont College Drive in El Cajon. 

Lee Puffer's installation in Hyde Art Gallery; image by Lee Puffer

Complimentary parking will be available in Parking Lot 1 for the opening event; vehicles must park in designated stalls. Hyde Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with the exception of legal holidays. Admission is free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available from the vending machine in Parking Lot 1, section F.