The Cal Poly Pomona art department will host the seventh annual Mentors Art Exhibition at the SCA Gallery in Downtown Pomona, beginning with an opening reception March 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Twenty-two students, under the director of 11 faculty mentors, will showcase their work at the gallery. In the fall quarter, art department faculty selected exceptional students to mentor for the academic year.

Up until the exhibit, the students work one-on-one with their mentors to create one or two pieces and learn the ins and outs of being an exhibiting artist: crafting a resume and artist statement, presenting their work in a public space, and designing and hanging a group art show.

Students showcase all types of art, from paintings and posters to type design and sculpture. The exhibit has also expanded to include art by alumni.

“Students have sold their art and design work, made important industry connections, and have been hired for work as a direct result of their mentors’ participation,” says art Professor Babette Mayor, the founder and organizer of the exhibition.

“Having a mentor clearly helps students to decide on what career directions they want to take, and also helps them make important connections between theories studied in class and real-world applications of those theories — one of our department’s learn-by-doing goals.”

The opening reception for the show is part of the Pomona Arts Colony Art Walk, held on the second Saturday of the month. The event draws hundreds of art lovers from all over the area, a golden opportunity to showcase the department, faculty, students and alumni.

The SCA Gallery is located at 281 S. Thomas St. in Pomona. The Mentors Art Exhibition will be on display until the first week of April.