Cerritos College opened its 2026 annual Student Art Exhibition on April 23 at the Cerritos College Art Gallery, featuring over 150 student artworks selected by faculty from the college's art, design, and photography programs. The opening night included an award ceremony introduced by Gallery Director James Mac Devitt and a speech by Dr. Jose Fierro. Juror Kim Abeles, an established L.A. artist, presented five awards across seven categories including Ceramics/3D Design, Painting/Life Drawing, Freehand Drawing, Printmaking/2D Design, Graphic Design/Digital Illustration, Photography, and 3D Modeling/Motion Picture Editing. Faculty also gave honorable mentions in each category. Approximately $7,000 in awards was distributed, supported by the Associated Students of Cerritos College, the Cerritos Foundation, and donors including former student John DeMott.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the role of community college art programs in nurturing emerging talent and fostering strong faculty-student connections. The event not only celebrates student achievement but also demonstrates how local institutional support—from foundations, alumni, and donors—can provide meaningful financial recognition for young artists. The showcase serves as a vital platform for students like Patrico Blanquisco and Angel Cabello to gain public exposure and validation for their work, reinforcing the importance of accessible arts education in building future creative careers.