Monterrubio exhibition at Porterville College

The public is invited to an art exhibition featuring paintings by Diego Gutiérrez Monterrubio, a college professor and Porterville College graduate, at the PC Art Gallery. The show will feature paintings created by Monterrubio over the course of his 25-year career as an artist and educator in the San Joaquin Valley.

The exhibition will open Monday and continue through Oct. 25. A reception for Monterrubio is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the art gallery.

Monterrubio has exhibited his work throughout the U.S., Mexico and Vietnam. He currently works as a professor at Bakersfield College, National University and California State University, Fresno, where he teaches studio art, art history and art theory. He also started the Porterville Art Walk and served as the event's executive director for four years. After graduating from PC, Monterrubio went on to earn a bachelor's degree in fine art from Fresno State and a master's degree in fine art from the University of Texas-pan American (now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley).

In talking about his artistic roots, Monterrubio quoted his grandfather, “‘El arte lo tienes en tu sangre' (‘Art is in your blood').” Monterrubio went on to say, “Those are the words my grandfather, an illustrator for Coca-cola in Mexico for more than 40 years, bestowed upon me as a child. I didn't fully understand the phrase, but with time and experience I learned the truth about what he said. When I found the truth of his vision, I discovered a portal to both peace and purpose. Art, for me, is passion. My art comes from within. It comes from what I have seen and digested. It comes from ethereal feelings and surreal moments. It comes from love and pain as well as laughter and tears.”

About the upcoming show, Monterrubio said, “I believe my artworks are ambassadors from the little misunderstood realm of my imagination and in this realm my images materialize and exist in my work and heart. They are my offspring. This reflective and chronological body of work is of a journey started as a child and growing into adulthood with many learning experiences – some good and some heartbreaking. Life teaches us lessons. We must accept. We must learn. We must grow.”

Gallery hours are noon to 2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Parking is free during the time of the reception. People who plan to see the exhibition at a time other than the reception can stop by PC'S information desk to receive a free parking permit.

Those with any questions about the show can contact Jim Entz at 7912257.