On Saturday, May 2, The College of the Arts (COTA) at CSULB hosted an event in downtown Long Beach that allowed students and alumni to display their work at Fusion.
Fusion had forty artists with almost one-hundred displays, including paintings, photography and drawings. The evening began with a series of films, some topics concerning local environment issues. Long Beach State professors always pick works of art that should be put on display in the galleries. Fusion gives everyone an opportunity to show any type of artwork in a relaxed atmosphere.
Twenty different bands performed at the Fusion. Sharing the art of music were featured bands, The Florida Oranges, The Window Babies, China Smoke and Ashley the Ten.
“My objective for Fusion is to build relationships between all of COTA’s departments,” said Patricia Garza, creator of Fusion and Department Manager for the Education Department at Center Theatre Group in Downtown Los Angeles.
Additionally, a group of alumni from the Theatre Arts Department presented Alive Theater. The event ended with a performance by Domino Affect Dance Company, created by a group of alumni from the Dance Department. Students in poetry, acting and stand up comedy also shared their talents at Fusion.
Garza founded Fusion because she passionately believes in collaboration. “I define myself as an artist in the sense that I am skilled at creating and producing events,” Garza said. “I think we need to grow as a community of artists and work together to build up our arts patrons in general.” Garza believes that there is so much talent around CSULB and there are never enough shows or outlets for this talent. “Fusion has a very strict policy of accepting any and all submissions,” Garza said. “We do not censor or preview the work, and we want all students of all levels of learning to be able to have the opportunity to express themselves.”
“Laughter is such a wonderful thing and it is so infectious that it just makes me so happy to see so many people laughing, and knowing I was able to make them do so,” said comedian William Sterling, a senior in film and electronic arts production. “Bringing people together is a big thing for me, and being able to bring them together for something they can enjoy is what Fusion is all about.”
Garza worked to recruit artists from CSULB as early as September 2008 to make Fusion possible through flyers, word of mouth and a network of friends. “It is exciting for me since it is my first time at Fusion,” said Michael Kimoto, a second-year senior in painting. “I find Fusion very functional to put everyone in the arts together.” All artists performed free of charge for an opportunity at networking, according to Garza. “This is a chance for artists from campus to network and build relationships with each other and those off-campus,” Garza said. “We invite press and community members to visit the event so they can see the talent coming from campus.”
Nadine Flores, a junior in film and photography, said, “You never know, if the city recognizes CSULB’s talent in art, theater, music, print and film, this event could become bigger next year.”
Fusion was funded through a number of different ways, Garza said. Mostly, Fusion was funded by the producers, which are the students running the event each year. “This year everything was self-funded and we hope to get reimbursed through concession sales,” Garza said.
The level of training offered for all of COTA is amazing. These artists are truly gifted and they learn the proper techniques and skills to make it in the real world.
“I want COTA to be a force for good and one that’s known all across the nation and throughout the world,” Sterling said. “In a day and age where we’ve become obsessed with financial success and the constant need for higher and higher education, art is like that part of your brain that says ‘Listen, buddy, take a break. Watch a movie, listen to a song, read a book, just relax.’ Remember that life isn’t all work and no play.”
“Lost Happiness,” a piece by Michael Kimoto.
Animation student Shawn Brandon next to his self-portrait, “Friendly.”
Megan Clancy is a journalism student at Cal State Long Beach and a staff writer for the Daily 49er newspaper.