A Bold New Canvas: The First Faculty and Staff Collaborative Art Exhibition
Photo Credit: Dylan Ryu
Dozens of visitors explored the gallery’s art pieces by faculty and staff during its opening reception on October 3rd.
A grainy animation of a discarded balloon dog slowly sinking into murky water catches the eye. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and fabric line the walls. The quiet halls of the Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building’s gallery has been transformed by works of art of all kinds. This collection of art is part of the Visual Arts @ SCU exhibition, a first-of-its-kind show bringing together works from faculty and staff in the Department of Art and Art History and the de Saisset Museum.
As the first exhibition to feature both faculty and staff art in nearly a decade, the show is a milestone for the University and an homage to all those who shape the visual arts scene on campus. “I think it’s a pretty exciting collaboration,” said Kathy Aoki, associate dean and studio art professor. “Faculty shows don’t come around very often. It’s been eight years since we’ve had any kind of show showing the work of teachers.”
Aoki’s pieces offer a satirical take on Jeff Koons work, the controversial artist known for his shiny, balloon-like sculptures. “His work in the earlier phases was extremely important. They broke open a lot of possibilities,” Aoki said. “Then later on, his work turned to street commercialism.” Her pieces imagine an eccentric collector who despised Koons’ work so much that she acquired it only to subject it to accelerated degradation, turning her estate into a public exhibition called Koons Ruins.
Photo Credit: Art and Art History Department
"Koons Ruins" art pieces by Associate Dean Kathy Aoki's
The show features 27 exhibitors and 49 pieces. With no overarching theme, artists could choose any pieces that they have created. The variety was welcomed, gallery director Poncho Jimènez said: “We asked people to submit work that they feel best represents what they’re currently working on or what that best represents their research.” This approach allows for different disciplines, including the literary work of art historians, to be present in the gallery.
While the University traditionally holds faculty shows every handful of years, this is the first to integrate staff, marking a shift toward a more inclusive arts culture. The exhibit recognizes the creative contributions of museum professionals and departmental staff, who often work behind the scenes. “It’s about elevating everyone’s practice and providing access for students to see the broader arts community here,” said Ciara Ennis, director of the de Saisset Museum.
Ennis explained that the integration of staff into this exhibition is a progressive move—disrupting the traditional separation of roles within universities—where faculty and staff rarely share the same platform for showcasing their work. “Usually in universities and colleges, departments are compartmentalized. The reality of institutions is that the faculty and staff don’t often intersect in this way,” she said. “This exhibition changes that dynamic, allowing us to celebrate the work of everyone who contributes to the visual arts.”
The gallery doesn’t just showcase artwork, but also written works of art historians from the University. “It was really nice to have the scholarship included,” said Professor Andrea Pappas. “The intellectual creativity that goes into producing a work of the original scholarship is often not appreciated.” Pappas has both artwork and scholarship displayed in the gallery. A painting titled “San Andreas” which meditates on the shifting, fragile landscape of California through a meticulously gridded canvas and her book “Embroidering the Landscape” that focuses on the often overlooked work of embroidery art created by women throughout history.
Photo Credit: Art and Art History Department
"San Andreas" art piece by Professor Andrea Pappas
The Visual Arts @ SCU exhibition coincides with another exhibition at the de Saisset Museum, a strategy that Jimènez hopes will generate greater impact for the visual arts at Santa Clara University. The dual openings were designed to provide a more extensive experience of the visual arts. Jimènez described that people can do an ‘art walk’ from the museum to the Art and Art History Department Gallery, creating a connected experience between the two locations.
Both the Art and Art History Department and the de Saisset are already planning more collaborations, the next being in winter quarter where Pilar Agüero-Esparza and Hector Dionicio Mendoza will showcase art from their “Material Concerns” works. The winter of 2026 will feature a show where photographer John Calm from Stanford University will display some of their work in both the museum and Dowd’s gallery.
Jimènez noted, “There’s so much diversity and variety in there that you can find something that maybe surprises you, or makes you think a little bit differently.” So, if you have some free time this week, stop by Dowd, there’s something for everyone.