Rachael Lyn's The Webs That Collect Inside Me MESA, Arizona – March 18, 2019 – The artwork of Mesa Community College art students Cheryl Berech (Tempe), and Rachael Lyn (Mesa), is featured in Shemer Art Center’s Mini Masterpieces exhibition, which runs through March 21 at 5005 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix. Described as “A juried exhibition of works by Arizona artists that are small in size, yet large in terms of skill, concept and ingenuity,” the art pieces are no bigger than 12” x 12”.

MCC art faculty member Ted Decker said, “It’s terrific to see Rachael and other MCC students stepping out, often beyond their previous comfort zones, and submitting and showing around the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.”

Lyn said she heard about the call for submissions on Instagram and created three pieces. Shemer Center accepted all three of her art pieces for the exhibition. She used a technique called Acrylic Pouring to create the artwork she submitted.

“I begin with a photo and apply acrylic on top,” she said. “The images take on a life of their own, with the acrylic making it texturized and more of a 3D image.”

Lyn, who is working on an associate’s degree at MCC, would like to be a full-time artist, earn a bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University and continue to grow her craft.

“MCC has been the best step I’ve taken,” said Lyn, who was an artist when she was younger, stepped away for a while, then went back to take art classes at both of MCC’s campuses. “My MCC art teachers are the best teachers I’ve ever had. I love how they support their students and how the students support other students. I love the process at MCC. Instructor Ted Decker knows many people in the field of art and he introduces you to everyone. His classes are wonderful.”

Cheryl Berech's Keisha She described her experience at the opening reception for the exhibition as "delightful."

“The facility used to be a house,” Lyn said. “It’s tiny and adorable and everyone was so nice. I met a couple of new artists and perused the whole showing.”

Another MCC student, Cheryl Berech, submitted a realistic figure painting of a women seated on a stool for the exhibition.

“I loved the expression on her face,” Berech said. “She’s looking at the view with an inscrutable expression—sort of like a modern day Mona Lisa. What is she feeling? What is she thinking?”

Berech, an artist who is working toward a certificate in graphic design and web design at MCC, said she was going for feeling of a baroque style, but contemporary at the same time. She found out about the exhibit by talking to several different artists who had taken classes or exhibited at Shemer Center.

She said MCC has helped her artistic growth at different levels and fosters a collaborative environment.

“MCC has a wonderful art program and an administration that is really supportive of the arts,” Berech said. “They have materials and teachers who are excellent and help the students understand the larger environment, the business environment, that is so important for students to learn about opportunities.”

Her goal is to teach and work as a visual artist—doing commissioned work and participating in projects for social causes. She is currently working on a nonprofit assignment painting critically ill children and is also involved in art therapy for dementia patients with the Tempe Artist Guild.

The exhibit runs through March 21 and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawnzimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Shemer Art Center, located in the very first home built in Arcadia, showcases Arizona artists and offers visual art classes, workshops, exhibits and events. The Shemer Art Center is also one of the Points of Pride for the City of Phoenix. In 1992, the Phoenix Pride Commission asked Phoenix residents to name places that make Phoenix unique. Over 10,000 postcards, listing approximately 150 locations, were received during the initial campaign. From the 40 sites receiving the most votes, the final 21 Points of Pride were selected by another public vote. Learn more at https://shemerartcenter.org/.

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 150 community colleges in the United States and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online and at its two campuses and additional locations. Through the implementation of Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming ways it champions student success; college completion, university transfer and career attainment for all students. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body, including more than 400 international students representing over 60 countries, who enrich campus learning experiences. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training to empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Learn more at mesacc.edu. 

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.