SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Biennial Staff and Faculty Arts Exhibition at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) had its opening on Thursday, Jan 29, bringing in more than 150 attendees. With 19 artists total, and 60 pieces on display from LTCC’s faculty and staff, the exhibition is a mosaic of different art forms, unified in the theme of color and collaborating together in one shared space, spanning across meta majors in the Arts, Languages and Humanities umbrella.
Artists Brianda Ortega (left) and Elizabeth Vargas (right) pictured with their pieces on displayVictoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
When you enter the Haldan Art Gallery, it’s clear that it’s a place for artists and creative minds alike to migrate to. The exhibition showcases different ways these artists express their personalities through passion and imagination. From ceramics, music and poetry, to oil on canvas and watercolor paintings, the presentation is adorned with profound creations.
Elizabeth Vargas has three oil paintings and a sculpture on display in this year’s faculty and staff exhibition. Vargas, an oil painter, ceramicist and multidisciplinary artist who sways between 2D and 3D art, said, “I will come up with ideas and they, kind of, decide how they want to be represented.”
Vargas has been working in the Art Department at LTCC since 2022 as the 2D art technician. Along with her efforts to get the exhibition up and running, she looks forward to encouraging students interested in becoming professional artists, that this line of work is absolutely possible.
“It’s nice to have our students come in just to learn what we do on our off-time, and how that reflects in our work as we are teaching and facilitating those kinds of experiences with our students,” said Vargas. “It’s really powerful to show your work.”
“just give it some time” by Elizabeth Vargas, Oil on Canvas, 2025Victoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
Although Vargas left the opening reception exhausted after weeks of organizing and installing the exhibition, “there’s also an indescribable feeling of relief, where it’s like ‘okay, things went well, and things are up on the wall, I don’t have to worry about it now,” Vargas said. “The reception is a very fun time to just be chatting with people and get to know each other’s artwork.”
Brianda Ortega, LTCC’s gallery assistant, has three pieces of art on display. She gravitates towards portraiture, such as human figures and animals. Included in her showpieces is a self portrait she started in 2020 and finished two years ago. “It’s one of the most vulnerable pieces I’ve ever displayed, but it’s definitely my favorite that I’ve ever done.”
Recently, she began making keychains of her friends’ dogs and giving them as gifts. For the showing, Ortega said, “I thought of doing a chandelier installation,” and Ortega’s art chandelier currently hangs in the corner of the exhibition, easily catching the eye of passersby.
“My Friend’s Best Friend” by Brianda Ortega, Mixed Media, 2025Victoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
Jane Manning is a local artist who decided to attend the opening to support other local artists in the area.
“I love the idea of walking into a room that’s blooming with talent, which is beautiful. And I love the variation of artwork and sculpture. I feel like you’re highlighting nature here, as well as a human quality of vulnerability,” said Manning. “This [exhibition], in particular, is unique because there is so much youth, and there’s layers of other ages, which makes us all be able to relate to it.”
The presentation offers a chance for attendees to gain inspiration and insight in whichever methods they feel drawn to. “Artists participating are working in a variety of mediums, including oil and acrylic painting, functional and sculptural ceramics, digital and film photography, mixed media sculpture, collage, poetry, music, and more,” said Vargas.
If you’re interested in viewing the Biennial LTCC Staff and Faculty Art Exhibition, it will be up until Friday, March 20.
To learn more about Haldan Art Gallery or to view its hours, visit https://www.ltcc.edu/campuslife/haldan-gallery/index.php
Artist and faculty member, Catherine Lockner Church, pictured with her piece, “Mother and Child, Noon Light”, Watercolor on Paper, 2025Victoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
