On March 9, “Close to Home” was held in the university art gallery on campus to showcase faculty artists from Modesto Junior College and Merced Junior College. A variety of contorted figures lined the canvas’ and precise sculptures were erected off the ground onto pedestals. The colors were vibrant, pieces were mind bending, some realistic, yet there were many distorted shapes that were unrecognizable until further explained by the artists.
While there was some art that was certainly interesting, the only one that had a story that hit close to home was Doug Smith’s digital photos. His photos showed the raw emotion of the dead housing market. 
“I photograph subjects that serve as evidence or historical reference to current times.” Doug said in a catalog statement.
Maegan Salinas (sophomore, Geography) is an aspiring photographer and felt inspired by Smiths work. 
“I liked Doug Smith and his digitals, they were beautifully done,” Salinas said. “I found it beautiful that Smith was able to show anger, pain, and despair in both photos displayed in the gallery. As an inspiring photographer, I would love to make something like that some day.”
One of his pictures included a cleared out house that simply had a long cord running out of a broken socket on the wall in an abandoned, foreclosed house. He later explained that the same house was still partially furnished and it seemed the residents just grabbed what they could.
Ana Martinez (sophomore, Criminal Justice) was attending the event because it was part of her art class. Even people who aren’t artists can still appreciate the work and see things that the art is trying to convey.
“We have to go to the opening gallery’s,” Martinez said. “It’s something free that students that can come look at art and how they [the artists] are relating their art to society. It’s actually very interesting to see what people come up with. It looks so real.”
The art wouldn’t have had the effect that it did if it wasn’t set up correctly. Spencer Carmona (senior, Bachelor of Fine Arts) was part of the set up crew that adjusted lights over the strategically placed pieces of art.
“There is a lot going on for installing,”Carmona said. “First of all, it’s organizing the space in which each piece will go, how far apart each piece will be, how many pieces per wall, that type of thing. Then there is the lighting.The lighting is kind of a pain. There is very specific lighting for each piece. There is a very, very, specific way of doing it too.”
Some guests perused into the gallery to absorb the wide array of art only to then sneak out into the lobby to refill on the equally artistic array of refreshments. Even some girls decided to have their laughter filled get-together in the middle of the gallery. However, when the artists came out to speak, everyone listened to what they had to say.
“There were some people who went there who obviously didn’t want to be there, even then, we all appreciated the art.” Salinas said. 
Every artists had a few minutes to explain their complicated works to the guests. It was refreshing to have the artists come out to tell their story about their pieces. Sometimes it just isn’t enough to let the art speak for itself. See for yourself at the university gallery will be open until April 2.