Rare exhibit at the QCC Art Gallery at Queensborough Community College Features European Drawings: The Creative Interpretations and Techniques, now through February 16

Published: December 12, 2023

“Sketches are the beginning of any serious piece of art,” said Faustino Quintanilla, Executive Director of the QCC Art Gallery. “They represent mystery, history, philosophy and spirituality from which some of the greatest artworks are born.”

The QCC Art Gallery’s current exhibition, European Drawings: The Creative Interpretations and Techniques, features a notable selection of Spanish drawings, with works by Murillo, Alonso Cano, Maella, Camaron, Vicente Lopez, and Isidre Nonell. Drawings from Italy are also well represented.

These previously unseen drawings are an opportunity to engage with artists and their relationship to the tools of their craft. The works date from the Renaissance to the 19th century.

“This show is a master class in drawing for our art students and many students in other areas of study stop by during their free time. And we are extremely pleased to welcome visitors from the surrounding community. You don’t have to travel to Manhattan to see museum quality exhibits,” said Quintanilla.

Co-curator Frédéric Jimeno holds a doctorate in art history (2005), has been a lecturer at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University since 2004, and was elected Corresponding Academician of the Real Academia de Nobles y Bellas Artes de San Luis de Saragossa in 2008.

The QCC Art Gallery offers internships for students. Alexia Wang, who began her internship in 2022 earned her second degree from Queensborough 2023 with a major in Studio Art and is now a graduate student at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, majoring in Museum Studies.  At the Gallery, she is responsible for managing the professional Museum Collection Management system and maintaining the Gallery Library. In Spring 2023, under the guidance and mentorship from Quintanilla, she ventured into developing educational programs and leading tours for students and the community.

Nestled within the iconic Oakland Building at Queensborough Community College in Queens, New York, the QCC Art Gallery stands as a testament to artistic expression. For decades, since 1966, the Gallery has been a cornerstone of the College and its neighboring community, presenting a dynamic range of exhibitions and engaging events. Guided by a commitment to nurturing visual consciousness and celebrating diversity across artistic mediums, cultures, and societies, the Gallery continues to be a vibrant hub for creative exploration.

Two paintings hanging on a dark room's wall.

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