by Jessica Robles

The COS Art Department has a rich history of talented students. The chance to showcase their talent where they first got their start, does not only benefit the artist themselves but also the current COS students and public. Marty Azevedo’s inspiring large-scale prints with mixed media elements graces the walls of the COS Art Gallery for the last exhibition of the Fall 2014 semester in “We Will Live Forever!” The show will run from October 28 through November 21 with an opening reception on Thursday, October 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the COS Art Gallery.

Marty Azevedo was born and raised in Hanford, California. His interest was peaked with Art and Printmaking at the College of the Sequoias before he received his BA in Art from California State University Chico in 2009. He completed his MFA at The Ohio State University in 2011. He has taught at the Ohio State University as well as Columbus College of Art and Design. He recently moved to Mobile, AL to teach at the University of South Alabama as the head of the Printmaking Department and continue his studio practice.

Marty Azevedo, Building Steam, /Relief/Lithography/Screenprint/Mixed Media 2013

In his artist statement Azevedo says, “My imagery makes use of symbolism and ideas of archetypes as a way to understand the world around me. Archetypes are the common undercurrents to people’s understandings, encompassing universal symbols, narratives, and behaviors.

I am interested in the simplicity of an image and its ability to convey the same, or different idea or meaning to a group or individual. I am interested in what happens when these symbols interact on the same plane and the conversation that occurs between many or few pieces layered together in one visual plane.”

The COS Art Gallery is located on the bottom floor of the Kaweah Building in room 214 on the College of Sequoias Visalia Campus. Free parking is available during the night of the reception in parking lots 3 and 7. If you are visiting the gallery during the day, there is 20 minute free parking available in lot 3 on the corner of Meadow Lane and Mooney Blvd. Parking passes can be purchased for $2.00 in lots 3 and right outside lot 7, for further questions regarding parking please contact the COS Art Gallery for details.

Gallery hours are Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For any questions or information regarding the show, you may call the COS Art Gallery at 559-737-4861 or visit the COS website at www.cos.edu. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook to receive news on upcoming events.

Jessica Robles was born and raised in Visalia, California. She studied fine art at the College of the Sequoias, then went on to receive her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and her MFA from Northern Illinois University, both with an emphasis in printmaking. She is now an adjunct art instructor and the Gallery Director of the COS Art Gallery at the College of the Sequoias.