Diablo Valley College is hosting a ceramic show titled “Not too Funky” that is a fun take on modern Funk art and how it’s transforming through the eyes of different artists. The exhibit is running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 25 and has a variety of different artists and styles.

Artists included Shenny Cruces, Antonio Cuellar, Edith Garcia, Travis McFlynn, Erin McGuiness, Crystal Morey, Juan Santiago, Shannon Sullivan and Whitney Smith.

A hand full of the artists came out to speak about their work at the opening event on Thursday, Jan. 29. Edith Garcia talked about her work titled “Constant Same Forever.”

“‘Constant Same Forever’ is supposed to represent a life cycle: it’s the beginning of life, through the end of life, and everything we experience throughout,” Garcia said.  

The event was curated by Christa Assad who is a ceramic artist herself. Her studio is located in Berkeley. 

She gave her opening speech to a large crowd of students, parents, other artists, but mostly students, who all stood intently listening to her words.

“I’m thrilled to see the show because I not only didn’t know what the work was going to look like, but I didn’t hand pick the artists. I’m really proud of the way things turned out, because the work really reflects a contemporary look at art.”

Assad’s curator statement gave a great definition of what was to be expected from the show.

“With tongue-in-cheek, ‘Not Too Funky’ is a small but powerful selection of works from our next generation of local Mud Muckers: artists whose voices echo their Northern California-grown Funk Artist predecessors’, but with a different tone…”

It continued, “Together, these works represent a diversity of styles and processes. Students, practitioners, and art enthusiasts alike may benefit from this small but representative survey.”

The opening event was held to inspire the art students of DVC, and many students came out to support. Studio art major Gianna Bennett, 22, said, “I love working with clay myself, and it’s just great to come out and support up and coming artists.”

Make sure to check out the Gallery and support your local artists before it closes on Feb. 25.