On the Town: Artists shine at Brand Library’s annual event; GCC Patrons Club awards scholarships

Seventy-nine artists interpreted the theme of “celebrate” in honor of the reopening of the Brand Library and its galleries. And “Celebrate!” their audiences did.

This past Saturday, some 200 art fans jammed the main exhibit space to “oooh” and “ahhh” over 79 works — all on paper — including painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media and three-dimensional works.

The event marked the library’s 42nd annual juried art exhibition. Ten years of “Brand Works on Paper” have been administered by Irena Raulinaitis. The evening also marked her retirement from the job she’s held with passion.

At the awards ceremony, a commendation for her achievements by Rep. Adam Schiff was presented to Raulinaitis by Brand Associates President Arlene Vidor.

More news was announced by attending art patron and Glendale City Councilwoman Laura Friedman. “It is significant that there will be a rise in funding for the Glendale library system [including the Brand Library and its art programs],” Friedman said, referring to additional money coming from the city.

Those funds will be put to good use in light of next year’s renovations to the Glendale Central Library.

Brand Library Arts and Culture VIPs Cindy Cleary and Cathy Billings were also recognized at the awards ceremony.

Finally, it was time to announce the six artists who received awards. Brand Associates Patron Awards of $250 were given to Dana L. Walker, Jamie Sweetman, Dan R. Kirchhefer and Leslie Lanxinger. Gregory Radionov was $2,000 richer as recipient of the Jane Friend Purchase Award. J.T. Burk received $1,000 as recipient of the Robert Brown Award presented by the daughter of the local artist.

But it was Glendale artist Minas Halaj‘s oil-and-mixed-media work “Girl with Orchidea” that drew lots of attention. The artist is selling his piece for $12,000. On hand was his proud father and artist in his own right, Samuel Hallaj.

Halaj explained to his admirers that his painting used some recycled material including tar as part of the background and pieces of a pre-Victorian dress.

Celebrated exhibition juror Jack Rutberg, who selected the artist awardees, had encouraging words for Halaj. “Just keep painting,” he said.

The exhibition will run through June 20. Don’t miss it.

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Scholarship season recognizes the best of the best from community schools. Forty academic stars were awarded scholarships by the Patron’s Club of Glendale Community College at the J. Walter Smith Student Center on campus.

This past Thursday, Club President Betty Musacco and Vice President/Scholarship Chairwoman Carolyn Payne kept the action moving as they awarded $23,500 in scholarships.

Opening remarks were made by College Supt./President Dr. David Viar, Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Paul Schlossman and College Foundation Executive Director Lisa Brooks.

Following that, lunch was prepared and served by college culinary arts students. Their roast chicken with tarragon sauce was perfection. Andrew Feldman, chairman of the culinary arts department, kept his students on their toes.

After lunch, the scholarship give-away began. Of note was scholarship winner student Hrach Agazaryan, who won the Patron’s Golden Anniversary Scholarship. At 19 years old, Agazaryan is a winner in more ways than one. He will transfer to the University of California Berkeley in the spring of next year.

Majoring in political science, Agazaryan plans to become an attorney, judge and may run for political office. His advice to students — “Focus, study harder.” As for him, Agazaryan said, “I’m pretty proud. All my hard work has paid off.”

He attributed his strong values to his Armenian-born father and Lebanese mother.

Scholarship donor of note was college Supt./President Emeritus Dr. John Davitt. At the college’s helm for 21 years, Davitt asked current school head Viar, “You promise you’ll stay?”

Davitt awarded his scholarships to students Ariga Gharibian, Ryan Gustafsen, Marie Grace Nsaavu Nzau and Bliss Saleebyan.

Another $300,000, representing 1,100 scholarships, will be awarded at the college’s Honors and Awards Banquet on June 18.

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RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.