Santa Monica College's Emeritus Gallery hosted the opening reception for its Emeritus Student Art Exhibition on Thursday night, marking the first on-campus reception since 2019. The exhibition features works by older adult students from the Emeritus College program, which has been operating since 1975. Highlights include Deborah Kaufman's mixed-media sculpture "Maximillion's Dream," inspired by a dream about her dog, and a tribute wall dedicated to the late student Roshy Farry, filled with her watercolor paintings. Curator Jesse Benson organized the event, which drew a crowded, enthusiastic audience of artists and visitors.
This exhibition matters because it underscores the vital role of community arts programs for older adults, providing creative outlets and social connection. The return to an in-person reception after years of online events due to health concerns signals a renewed sense of normalcy and communal celebration. The tribute wall for Roshy Farry illustrates how art can serve as therapy and legacy, while the program itself demonstrates the lasting impact of arts education on lifelong learners. The show runs through June 6, with a second online installment on May 22.