Sisson gallery showcases Rodriguez’s “Los Personajes” exhibition
HFC and the Michigan Ceramic Art Association will showcase George Rodriguez’s artwork in the exhibition called “Los Personajes” in the newly renovated Sisson Art Gallery in the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F on the main campus) from Monday, September 23, through Friday, November 1.
Rodriguez will also conduct a workshop in in the Ceramics Lab (Room F-163) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1. A reception will be held November 1 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
HFC Ceramics Technician and member of the MCAA Board of Directors Patty Goodell helped arrange for Rodriguez to come to HFC.
“I can’t wait to meet him in person when he comes to the College,” said Goodell. “He’s a very experienced artist who’s interested in giving back. He’s a down-to-earth, community-minded individual who has pushed for community engagement.”
A renowned artist
Born and raised in Texas, Rodriguez creates highly ornamented, figurative ceramic sculptures, which are often underlined by a connection to the sociopolitical issues he explores. He has a bachelor of fine arts degree in ceramics from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master of fine arts degree in ceramics from the University of Washington. In 2010, through UW’s Bonderman Travel Fellowship, Rodriguez traveled abroad, where he was introduced to new cultures.
His artwork has been shown at many venues, including:
- The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art in Bainbridge Island, WA
- The Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, WA
- The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA
- The Canton Museum of Art in Canton, OH
His sculptures have been part of the collections of:
- The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, IL
- The UW Paul G. Allen College of Computer Science and Engineering in Seattle
- The Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, OR
- The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
- The National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden
One notable work is the large public sculpture that Rodriguez created in the Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, MO in 2023. Rodriguez teaches in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia. He was also featured on the “Storytellers” episode of PBS’ Craft in America, highlighting artists who use narrative to communicate personal stories and universal truths.
“George wanted this exhibition to happen during National Hispanic Heritage Month because of his Mexican American heritage and the large Latin American population in Detroit,” said HFC Faculty Chair of Fine and Performing Arts Steve Glazer. “When we were finalizing dates of the workshop, George specifically asked for October 31 because it is not only Halloween but also the Day of the Dead.”
Sisson hours
The hours for the Sission Art Gallery during the Fall 2024 semester are:
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sisson will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, and Saturday, October 19, and by appointment.
The “Los Personajes” exhibition, the workshop, and the reception are free and open to the public. For questions or more information, contact Glazer at 313-845-6485 or sglazer@hfcc.edu.