Riverside, Calif., May, 2000--Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein, La Sierra University assistant professor of art, is having a solo exhibit of her original artwork at the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum at California State University, San Bernardino. It will be on display from May 4 to June 4. The show is titled "The Door" and the exhibit's central piece is a massive, free-standing door.

Mejia-Krumbein's work frequently deals with political themes and her current exhibit continues in this tradition. The Colombian-born artist's work has appeared in solo shows in Toronto, Canada; Santa Fe, N.M.; and at the National Museum of the Woman in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

"'The Door' deals with concepts of migration, displacement, identity and community. It is a metaphor for the home that is left behind and that will never be the same. It is also a symbol for new opportunities and a future of hope," said the artist.

Beyond the strong visual impact that the exhibit's door is meant to convey, the exhibit also features interactive components. A pile of painted and broken faces lies on the floor in front of the door, and these wood planks are designed for handling and reassembly.

Just as refugees must reconstruct their lives from what remains, exhibit viewers experience this same reality. Sometimes a match to a given piece cannot be found and faces cannot be fully reconstructed. This asymmetry is symbolic of individuals who pierce their lives together - an activity that can be successful only to varying degrees, the artist reminds.

The exhibit by the La Sierra art professor is not only the first public showing of "The Door," but also the first time the Fullerton Art Museum has showcased an interactive art work on this scale. The exhibit will also includes an artistic video, where broken faces from the installation are interacting and animated. Costs associated with production of the 3-minute-long video were funded by a research grant from La Sierra's College of Arts and Sciences. The video also includes a Mejia-Krumbein poem and violin music composed by the artist's son, Jack Krumbein, a professional violin performer.

The exhibit opening will be held today, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Robert V. Fullerton Gallery in the university's Visual Arts building on the north side of the campus. The street address is 5500 University Parkway and the gallery phone number is (909) 880-7373. The exhibit opening will be preceded by a 4 p.m. gallery talk. Admission to the museum is free.

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Story by Bonnie Carter, La Sierra Public Relations.