FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2014
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana, (562) 463-3145

‘TRANSITWAY’ FEATURES LA ARTISTS AT RIO HONDO COLLEGE

College, Metro partner to showcase month-long exhibit

Whittier– Working in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Rio Hondo College is hosting “Transitway,” an exhibition featuring the work of four Los Angeles-based artists from Feb. 3-28 at 3600 Workman Mill Road in Whittier.

The artists, who were commissioned for the Metro El Monte Station, will showcase new and original works of art from Feb. 3-28 in the Rio Hondo Art Gallery. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with an artist panel discussion starting at 7 p.m. in the Blackbox Theatre in the Campus Inn.

“The El Monte Station is the largest bus facility west of Chicago, so thousands of people are exposed to this wonderful art on a daily basis,” said Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss. “The College is excited to showcase this artwork to our students, many of whom live in the City of El Monte and commute to our campus every day.”

The four artists whose work will be displayed include Vincent Ramos, Eloy Torrez, Martin Durazo and Phung Huynh.

Ramos’ work pays homage to the rich cultural contribution of the El Monte Legion Stadium, a hotbed of activity in its heyday; Torrez explores transitions and movement, energy and patterns that people create on their travels; Durazo uses swirling vibrant colors to energetically mirror the ever-changing intersection of cultures and environments in the Los Angeles area; and, Huynh’s artwork is informed by the city of El Monte’s vibrant transformations through the use of symbolic and metaphoric imagery.

“Rio Hondo College has a top-tier Arts & Cultural Programs with faculty who are artists themselves,” said Rio Hondo College Board of Trustee Norma Edith García.  “This is a groundbreaking opportunity for our College to facilitate a dialogue between L.A. artists and the larger community, including students and residents of El Monte, thanks to our partnership with Metro.”

The gallery is open during the day Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and in the evenings Monday through Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free to the public; however, there is a $3 parking fee. The exhibit will run from Feb. 3-28.