Who Dat?

Faustino Quintanilla, Marta Sozzi, and Javier Cambre

I'm sure that most of you recognize the somewhat younger Executive Director of the QCC Art Gallery, but pictured with him are two other long-time collaborators whose work has been featured at the QCC AG as well as on this blog, namely: Mart Sozzi and our own Javier Cambre.

Visit the Director, Jesus, and the Angels

African Jesus is a large sculpture that is presently on display in the Director's Office.

The QCC Art Gallery is run by a wonderful character named Faustino Quintanilla, who can usually be found hard at work in his second floor offices and he could really use a break. So, the next time you are in the vicinity of the Gallery, step in, enjoy the art, and ascend the stairs to meet the man that makes it all possible.

Jeronimo Lopez's work may be returning to the QCC Art Gallery.

Jujutsu Trick?

Help the Director bring more great art to QCC.

With stark limitations on his yearly budget and a complete dependence on endowments and membership dollars to fund all activities and exhibits, somehow the Director finds a way to bring the most amazing art to QCC-CUNY.

If you love art and the QCC Art Gallery, consider becoming a member, or click the Support the Gallery tab above. Either way, you'll be doing a world of good for an institution that enriches and enlivens the lives of thousands every year.

Faustino's Students

The Director mingles with students in the Main Gallery.

Every semester, Director Faustino Quintanilla collaborates with dozens of colleagues, aiding them in their shared mission to educate the young.


Sometimes this involves guided tours through the Gallery, other times it involves supplementary lecture or Q&A sessions, and yet other times, with a little lead time, it involves thematic inquiry via specific objects to support learning. In whatever form it takes, and painstaking though it may be, the Director has confided that nothing brings him more pleasure than to introduce young people to his world...the World of Art!

To explore the possibilities,

contact the Gallery soon.

Director Quintanilla introduces students to a few fine pieces from the QCC-AG's Permanent African Collection.

A Spanish Director

As one may expect, there are some distinct benefits to having a Spanish Director of your art gallery, not the least of which is ready access to some of the finest art exhibits from Spain and others from Latin America in the Spanish tradition.


In case you've lost track in the flurry of exhibits that the Director has brought to the QCC Art Gallery, here are a few posts for you to review:

Picasso at QCC /  Picasso at QCC: 2 / Picasso's Collaborator / Picasso Book / Jeronimo Lopez / Antonio Melero / Quintana Martelo / Aguilera Family

Shades of Things to Come

Faustino Quintanilla is rapt by the subtle creativity of this modern Taiwanese sculpture.

There's always something to longingly anticipate at the QCC Art Gallery. 2017 will be no different. And though I don't want to get ahead of myself and give too much away, suffice it to say that the Director's recent excursion to Taiwan, though fun, was all about business.

In the months ahead, you can look forward to some amazing new acquisitions, as well as some stunning and unique visiting exhibits from that corner of the globe.

The Director Visits Taiwan

Earlier this year, under the auspices of the Taiwanese American Arts Council(TAAC), which fosters awareness of Taiwanese American Art within the United States, Executive Director Faustino Quintanilla joined Dr. Amy Winter (Director/Chief Curator of the Godwin Ternbach Museum), Michael Royce (Executive Director, New York Foundation for the Arts), and Dr. Kenneth Howell on a guided visit to various cultural and art organizations, museums, and artist studios throughout Taiwan.

Travel alongside the Director

and enjoy the journey via the photos below.

Danny Simmons at QCC

Expressionism is one of the most dominant and influential of artistic styles, giving rise to many sub-genres in the modern art firmament. It attempts to depict subjective emotion in response to objective reality, and often uses distortion, exaggeration, primitivism, and fantasy melded with the vivid application of formal elements to achieve this end.

Danny Simmons with Faustino Quintanilla at the QCC AG.

The QCC Art Gallery has hosted many prominent artists whose work may be described as expressionistic, but none more powerful and spontaneous than Danny Simmons, who shared his painting as well as his extensive African Art collection not very long ago.

The QCC Press published an accompanying book featuring the work of Mr. Simmons' exhibit, and you can purchase a copy here.













The images are those of Mr. Simmons' collection and works, but the volume's text was provided by another scholar, and good friend of the QCC Art Gallery, Donna Page.

Commitment to Students

Though Executive Director Faustino Quintanilla's duties at the QCC Art Gallery are many, educating students is always his first priority.


Below, he talks to Project PRIZE students about their work in the program and how it has helped them and their communities.


Project PRIZE Director Yicel Nota-Latif and Instructor Marissa Molina also appear in the clip.

Celebrate Autumn at QCC

Celebrate the arrival of Autumn with the help of the QCC Art Gallery
by downloading either of the fall-themed wallpapers below.

Simply click on either of the images above to go to a full-sized image that can be

easily saved or immediately used as wallpaper on your computer screen.

The QCC AG Welcomes You Back

And so another semester is about to begin. Why not start off on the right foot

by downloading a QCC Art Gallery Wallpaper for your desktop or laptop?

Simply click on any of the images above to go to a full-sized image that can be easily saved

or immediately used as wallpaper on your computer screen.

Meet the Director

Some interesting pieces lying about the Director's office.

It's hard for me to contemplate that many of my colleagues and the vast majority of our students have yet to enter the QCC Art Gallery. After all, it's a landmark building housing many treasures from various cultures and epochs. On top of that, it has numerous excellent visiting exhibits every year, and publishes acclaimed tomes to accompany these exhibits.

And as if that was not enough, the place is run by a wonderful character named Faustino Quintanilla, who can usually be found hard at work in his second floor offices and could really use a break. So, the next time you are in the vicinity of the Gallery, step in, enjoy the art, and ascend the stairs to meet the man that makes it all possible.

Wenzhi Zhang Anniversary

Director Faustino Quintanilla being interviewed by members of the media.

Three new sculptures by renowned Chinese artist Wenzhi Zhang were unveiled in the QCC Sculpture Garden to the delight of all in attendance. The occasion was the first anniversary of the collaboration between this gifted artist and the QCC Art Gallery. It's highly recommended that you take in the garden yourself, as it is full of surprises and is a great way to beat the stress of daily life.

One of three new sculptures for you to visit and enjoy at QCC-CUNY.

Stewart Warkow Will Be Missed

Stewart J. Warkow passed away earlier this year at the age of 81.

Stewart J. Warkow with Director Quintanilla at the QCC Art Gallery

He was born in Brooklyn, NY and remained a lifelong resident of New York City. Stewart was both well-known and widely respected as the Executive Director of Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he held the position of VP and Director of the Conductors Division at ICM Artists in New York City. And it was our good fortune to know him and count him as a dear friend and benefactor of the QCC Art Gallery. He will be missed for his charm, grace, and good-humor as well as his considerable generosity to the Gallery and many others who crossed his path.

If you'd like to join this gentleman and others like him who have helped QCC become a success, then perhaps you would consider remembering Queensborough Community College Fund, Inc. in your estate plan. If this sounds right for you, then learn more about making a planned gift via the Office of Institutional Advancement at 718-281-5144.

The Director Welcomes You

Friends and colleagues, as the semester starts, allow me to urge you to visit the QCC Art Gallery either with your classes or on your own. If you're unfamiliar with the building, the works that appear therein, or the man who is principally responsible for the success of the Gallery, then you're missing out on education and fun......two of my favorite things :)

Director Faustino Quintanilla multitasks.........bestowing a blessing while changing overhead lighting!

If visiting with a class, calling ahead to arrange a best time is much appreciated, whereas one should always feel free to stop by alone or in smaller groups whenever the spirit moves you. And if you have time, be sure to step up to the second floor to say hello and a word of thanks to Director Faustino Quintanilla. His schedule is hectic, but never so much so that it precludes the joy of meeting another friend and art enthusiast.

Art Runs in the Family Imperato

Ellie Imperato confers with Faustino Quintanilla.

Eleanor Imperato, "Ellie" to her frends, is a poet, author and gifted photographer, as you will see if you attend her coming exhibit:

Porte della memoria: Ricordi del Mio Paese

Doors of Memory: Remembering My Birthplace
Opening: October 8, 2015

She's also the matriarch of a wonderful family that has brought much to the QCC campus and particularly to the QCC Art Gallery.

Her husband, Dr. Pascal James Imperato is a distinguished African art historian and ethnographer, whose Bundu Sowei headpieces enchanted visitors to the QCC Art Gallery in 2012. He also collaborated with his son and fellow Africanist, Dr. Gavin Imperato, to produce the accompanying Bundu book, which is still available online via the QCC Art Gallery Gift Shop.

And in 2014, the good Doctor collaborated with his other son Austin Imperato, who is himself an art scholar. Together they curated the impressive Victor Sow exhibit at the QCC Art Gallery, and, along with other family members, were kind enough to pose for the photo you see below.

So, many thanks to the Family Imperato for all that they have meant to our community, and for all those whose lives they've touched via their talent, generosity and humanity.

Ellie Imperato flanked by her beloved family.
(from l. to r.) sons Gavin and Austin, Ellie herself, husband Pascal James, and daughter Alison

Cultural Liaison Kerri-Ann Smith

Kerri-Ann Smith visiting Faustino Quintanilla
in his second floor office at the QCC AG

The Cultural Liaison Program may be a young one, but that hasn't stopped Kerri-Ann Smith of the Academic Literacy Department from taking initiative promoting the QCC Art Gallery, QPAC, and the KHRCA among her friends and colleagues.

Indeed, with her plethora of experiences and contacts, and her devotion to multicultural education, she's helped broaden the appeal of these cultural institutions within, but also beyond, the bounds of our own community. And she has been a major contributor in expanding the social media presence of all three to larger circles and audiences.

She has confided that her goal in the coming year is to ramp up her current activities so as to maximize engagement of the "Big 3". I know you will join me in wishing her well.

Major Misconception

Among many of those both on and off our campus, there exists a major misconception that the QCC Art Gallery is awash in funds. And nothing could be farther from the truth, as it subsists essentially on generous donations and memberships.

It receives no pot of gold from the student activity fee. Neither is it allocated any portion of tuition nor does it charge admission. Yet the misconception may be understandable, given the many wonderful exhibits that have appeared at the QCC Art Gallery on a regular basis.

If you love art and you love the QCC Art Gallery, consider becoming a member, or click the Support the Gallery tab above. Either way, you'll be doing a world of good for an institution that enriches and enlivens the lives of thousands every year.

Provenance

Faustino Quintanilla inspects a modern bronze sculpture.

In preparation for the QCC Art Gallery's fiftieth anniversary in 2017, Director Faustino Quintanilla and his staff have redoubled their efforts to codify the Permanent Collection.

This involves determining and cross-referencing attribution and provenance with regard to thousands of works, which, as it sounds, is no mean task. Nevertheless, the process is well underway and should be completed on schedule.

This knowledge-base should prove to be a boon to scholars and casual users alike as they peruse the Collection, and it should enhance the Gallery's ability itself as far as receiving grants and engaging in collaborative efforts with other well-known art resources, both domestically and internationally.

The Mission

Below, you see Director Faustino Quintanilla welcoming a class of young visitors to the QCC Art Gallery in preparation for their instructed tour. It is just one of many important roles he plays in fulfillment of the mission of the QCC Art Gallery.

Why not take advantage of his expertise? Make an appointment for your class to visit today!