On View

Photography Faculty Exhibition

March 19 - May 10, 2024

The Natalie and James Thompson Art Gallery is pleased to present this periodic opportunity to view recent works by current faculty in the Photography area: Jesus Aguilar, Kelcey Bauer, Binh Danh, Rick English, Jonathan Fung, Richard Haley, Victoria Heilweil, Erin de Jauregui, Robin Lasser, Kathleen McDonald, Valerie Mendoza and Alana Rios.

Featured are a divergent group of artists who, although displaying a wide range of media, style, and technique, share an interest in working with spatial arts media and a devotion to teaching. All of these artists have individually received noteworthy acclaim for their works. As a group, they combine significant successes in regional, national, and international exhibitions, public art commissions, and museum collections, as well as numerous grants and awards. We are delighted to have this opportunity to feature their thoughtfulness, craftsmanship, and vision in this special display.

This exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Reed Estabrook, SJSU Professor of Photography from 1984-2012. Reed Estabrook was born May 31, 1944, in Dedham, Mass. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA) and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), he spent his entire professional career as a professor of photography, holding positions at the University of Illinois, University of Northern Iowa, Kansas City Art Institute, and San José State University, where he developed the "new" photography degree program and remained for the next 30 years. He served as coordinator, created the unique dual-track curriculum still featured, and led the institution’s transition to a digitally based core far ahead of other institutions nationwide. Students commented on his passion, guidance, ability to instill confidence and approach to living creatively with a deep curiosity. His primary medium was photography, but he incorporated many other media into his image-making. His work has been shown in the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the J Paul Getty Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and numerous museums and galleries throughout the United States. His son, August Estabrook, has set up his memorial wall. Please contribute your memory of Reed here. 

In conjunction with the opening of this exhibition, each exhibiting artist will speak about their work, its context, and its development as part of a walk-through in the Thompson Gallery, which will be held from 5 - 6 pm on March 19, 2024. This presentation and the following opening reception, held immediately afterward from 6 – 7:30 pm, are free and open to the public.

Alena Sauzade, PhD

Gallery Director and Collections Manager