On Friday, Cabrillo College unveiled a new sculpture on campus.
The Precious Twin sculpture was designed by artist Gustavo Martinez with assistance from Payson McNett and the Art 34 sculpture class to celebrate diversity at Cabrillo’s two campus locations and to create a sense of belonging for all.
Gustavo Martinez
The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Grant #P116Z230058. It is a project of the Art Department at Cabrillo.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, but raised in the United States, Martinez’s relationship between Mexican history and American popular culture has shaped his experience.
“I feel fortunate to have experienced many opportunities through my passion for creating with clay,” said Martinez. “Teaching brings me joy as I share my creative process with others.”
He added, “In our fast-paced society, where artistic expression is often sidelined, it’s essential to embrace creativity as a unifying force. This public art sculpture on campus celebrates our multicultural community and honors Indigenous voices, reminding all who pass by of the vibrant light within us and the importance of creativity for personal growth and collective connection.”
He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from San Jose State University with a minor in Mexican American Studies. He achieved a master of fine arts from the University of Washington in 2011 and was awarded the Parnassus Teaching with Excellence award. He resides between San Jose, El Paso, and Tacoma.
To better serve its Latinx population and to become a truly Hispanic Serving Institution, staff and faculty at Cabrillo College have been working with Dr. Gina Garcia, an author and a leading scholar on HSIs, whose research centers on issues of equity and justice in higher education and the transformational practices required to enact organizational change.
Today, nearly half of Cabrillo’s student population is Latinx, and this past May, Cabrillo’s graduating Class of 2024 was nearly 53% Latinx.
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TOP PHOTO: The Precious Twin sculpture, designed Gustavo Martinez along with Payson McNett and the Art34 sculpture class, celebrates diversity at Cabrillo College.