News from CSUSB Palm Desert:
Artist and Cal State San Bernardino alumna Jean Vezzalini will host a reception on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to showcase her paintings in the lobby of the Indian Wells Theater at the university’s Palm Desert Campus, with all proceeds from the exhibition to be donated for student scholarships.
As an international student Jean started taking classes at California State University, San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus in January 2004. She completed an associate’s degree in liberal arts, English composition, in May, 2004, from College of the Desert, and a bachelor’s degree in English, English literature track, in June, 2006, from CSUSB. She continued her studies, and in June, 2010, obtained a master of arts degree in communication studies.
After she retired in Italy, Jean started to work on a dream – a dream to write and illustrate a collection of short stories in English. English is not her first or second language. Jean speaks French, Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish and Greek. To attain that dream of writing a book in English, she chose College of the Desert to begin her studies.
Along the way Jean worked on the campus newspaper and completed an associate’s degree in digital and design production. She also became a watercolor, acrylic and oil painter. She has had two solo exhibitions of her work on the Garrow Gallery Wall at COD and her work has also exhibited in the Walter N. Marks Center of the Arts in Palm Desert. She donated her work to the campus to raise funds to improve existing art programs on the COD campus.
In 2008, the City of Palm Springs and the Public Arts Commission awarded Jean with an Honorable Mention for Typically Jam. In 2009, the 11th City of Palm Springs Annual Juried Art Show nominated Jean’s Jenial first in the Acrylic, Gouache and Tempera categories.
Today Jean lives between Italy and Rancho Mirage. Her thirst for learning and knowledge continues to propel her to greater intellectual and artistic achievements. A painting or digital design and production class will always trigger Jean’s interest. Most of all, Jean likes to share and give back.
Her passion for the arts and communication elicit her enthusiasm. Whether volunteering with special events at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, studying or working on the completion of her book, Jean continues to make art.
To RSVP to the reception, e-mail Mike Singer at [email protected].
The paintings are available for viewing in the Indian Wells Theater lobby through June 2018.
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is located at 37-500 Cook St.
Located in beautiful Palm Desert, the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teacher credentials and certificates. With more than 1,400 students, it is the Coachella Valley’s four-year public university and plays a vital role in educating and training the region’s growing population.
For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the campus’ Office of Public Affairs at [email protected] or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the campus website at https://pdc.csusb.edu.