Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Liz Cabellero works on a large mural that will be on display at Tercera.

Tercera teams up with EMQ for exhibit

By Shari Kaplan

With May being National Mental Health Awareness Month and its first week named Children's Mental Health Week, Tercera Gallery's current exhibit couldn't have been hung at a better time.

The Eastfield Ming Quong Painting Project, which runs through May 11, comprises more than a dozen pieces of art created by emotionally troubled children and teenagers enrolled in EMQ's residential or day treatment programs. One or two paintings come from students of NOVA*, an alternative educational program for students in the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District.

Under the direction of professional artist and seven-year EMQ artist-in-residence Phil Rosenthal, the EMQ youth participate in weekly art projects, where they can work on their own paintings or collaborate with others. They also attend art workshops and take field trips to museums, galleries or outdoor work-from-nature classes.

"They learn about work--that it's both hard and rewarding, and pretty much the harder it is, the more rewarding it is," Rosenthal says of the creative process the youth experience.

"They know that no matter how bad it gets, if you take a breath and try again, [the art] can usually be salvaged and come out as good or better than it started out. That's an important lesson," says Rosenthal, who calls much of the artwork "spectacularly good."

Nineteen-year-old Liz says Rosenthal is an inspiration to her because she often has trouble embarking on a new project. "Phil loves to get your mind going," she says with a smile.

"I feel like I'm accomplishing something [with art]. I can express myself in any way, shape or form and know that someone will get something out of it," Liz says, adding that her favorite depictions are "mystical things" like fairies, dragons and castles.

While mixing white and yellow paints to achieve a lemon-creme shade for his painting, 16-year-old Gary says he never knew much about making art until working with Rosenthal.

"I like art; it takes away my anger when I'm angry. I could never get bored with it," he says. Sometimes, though, he adds, he'll lose his patience with a piece and throw it away.

Among the paintings on display are "Red Crane," a nearly life-size pink and red bird strutting gracefully past a dark blue background, drawn by Anamar. Another large image is "No-Neck Castro," a team effort by Lucas, Richard and Michael that caricatures one of their schoolteachers surrounded by hot peppers and huge bottles of Tabasco sauce--his favorite condiment.

The EMQ Painting Project exhibition is supported by the EMQ Foundation, Tercera Gallery, the San Jose Museum of Art School, the Arts Council of Santa Clara County, the County of Santa Clara and the California Arts Council Artist-in-Residence Program.

Tercera Gallery is located at 24 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 354-9484.

[ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ]