By snoadmin
The Dennis W. Dutzi Gallery opened Saturday Sept. 9 in honor of a College of the Arts graduate.
Congresswomen Linda and Loretta Sanchez were two special guests at the ceremony who both hung their perspective portraits painted by Dutzi in their Washington, D.C. offices.
The late Dutzi moved to the West Coast from New York; it was said that he “embraced the upbeat lifestyle and sun-drenched aesthetic of Southern California,” according to the press release.
Dutzi graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 1992 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in drawing and painting. Not only was he involved while he was a student at CSULB, but he continuously came back to the campus “to mentor and help students who were going through tough times,” said Arléna Kauppi, associate director of development for the College of the Arts.
Dutzi died unexpectedly in February 2005. “It was just a labor of love,” Kauppi said when asked how the gallery came into existence.
Anthony Grajeda, Dutzi’s partner, came to the university wanting to leave something behind in Dutzi’s name. Dutzi used to always focus on helping others “pursue the passion,” which is the motto of the Dutzi Gallery, no matter what hardships or obstacles were being faced.
In memory of Dutzi and “his love for art and Cal State Long Beach,” Grajeda, with the help of friends, patrons and supporters, named the Dutzi Gallery and the Dennis Dutzi Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will benefit drawing and painting students. The gallery features artwork from all areas of the art department created by students.
Grajeda said that Dutzi loved the art students and the department at CSULB so much that he wanted to go back to school to become an art professor so he could further impact the art community and students.
The gallery is open to students and all who want to view student work daily from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. It is located on Upper Campus in-between the College of Education Building and the Art Building.
