Over at the Cosumnes River College Art Gallery, an array of art was displayed as part of an Asian Art Exhibition for students to enjoy part of a world outside their own.

The Art History 332 class had been assigned by their professor to bring items of their parents’ past to be hosted in the exhibit which started from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4.

Art professor Anna Trent, who is teaching Asian Art this semester, required her students to not only bring those items, but to also do their own research on those pieces as part of the learning experience. The information they gathered would be reflected in the exhibition as info cards that would be placed beside their respective pieces for audiences to read.

Professor Trent has had experience in exhibitions as well as having a certificate in museum studies.

“The research implies that we start looking into not just the item, but looking at what it really is and what is the meaning,” said Trent.

She explained that, little by little, students have brought various items from their families’ past. With her collection included, a respectable number of pieces were gathered to be displayed with the assistance of other staff, such as Art Professor Yoshio Taylor.

Peilin Li, a 23-year-old art major, is primarily a student of Sacramento City College, but is taking the class at CRC because it is required for her major. As well as being one of the students responsible for making the flyer for the event, she also brought pieces to the exhibit herself, such as two original watercolor scrolls.

“I was also interested because there’s so much more emphasis placed on Western art history — especially the Renaissance — compared to Asian art history in art education, that I wanted to know more about it,” said Li.

Art pieces ranged from an assortment of different styles from all over Asia, such as Japanese friendship dolls, Chinese teapots, Persian trays, Pakistani carpets and others like lacquer boxes from Thailand and sculpture sets made of jade from China.

The general purpose of the exhibition was not only because it was an assignment for the students, but it was also to benefit the rest of the campus as well.

“We wanted the rest of the college to also have a chance to not only see those beautiful objects, but also gain some of the knowledge that my students gained in the classroom,” says Trent.

Dario Lizarraga, a 23-year-old film major who was visiting the exhibit after his classes, expressed interest in the works of art. He said he’s always been intrigued with the thought of Asian art, so he found it to be a good opportunity to visit and learn more about it.

“I liked learning about the kimonos and the currency that was on display,” said Lizarraga. “I think the exhibition was presented very well, and I’m glad that the class allowed us to have a chance to really look into a different part of history.”