Photo essay: Students ‘become by doing’ at Poly Kroma opening
Victoria Mejicanos
The event hosted by the Visual Communication Design Department concluded with the second annual Poly Kroma Motion Festival, highlighting student motion graphic submissions. It included lyric videos and small, short films. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Curator of the W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery and the Don B. Huntley Gallery Michele Fillmore said the goal of curating an exhibit and creating art as a whole is to express a message. “It’s something where you want to communicate ideas, but you also want to be creative about how you go about it,” Fillmore said. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
By Victoria Mejicanos, May 13, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona students, professors and friends gathered at the W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery May 1 for the opening of Poly Kroma – an annual art exhibition that showcases visual communication design students’ artworks as well as senior students’ portfolios.
Senior students showcase their work to other art professionals during Industry Day. Attendees can take home items such as brochures, photo prints and other creative elements, including fans and pins. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Artworks are selected out of hundreds of submissions with the help of qualified professionals called jurors. “It’s very hard to choose the ones to be selected,” said Jian Lee, an assistant professor of art. “That’s why we have jurors, so I was really excited to see the result.” Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Submissions included sculptures, drawings, fine art pieces and branding materials, each with their own unique messaging. Poly Kroma is often a student’s first dive into the art space according to Michele Fillmore, curator for the gallery—whether they helped lay out the exhibition, help promote it or are selected for this student-centered showcase. Poly Kroma exemplifies the “become by doing” motto at CPP. The themes of the art ranged from self-expression to cultural experiences and impact.
The gallery was packed with students upon its opening to the public, each having their own personal experiences with the art. Some observe, some support friends or family and others stand next to their art. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Fillmore shared the importance of the gallery being an inclusive space for all, whether they are in a large group or by themselves. A major component of that inclusion is didactics, or panels placed next to the artwork to explain them. She described art as an experience. “The idea is that, if a person comes on their own, that they can get something out of it,” Fillmore said. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
From beginning to end, both faculty and students from the visual communication design department collaborate to bring this 2D3D exhibit full of mixed art forms to life. Students worked on promotional materials, displays and monitors over the event. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Poly Kroma will run until May 18 at the Kellogg Gallery. For more information about Poly Kroma and its hours, students can visit the Poly Kroma website.
In addition to the artworks on display, there was also a chance for attendees to experience the gallery through a virtual reality experience compiled by Nicholas Tong, Erick Tapia and Cole Snelling. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Many students who participated in the exhibition and whose work was selected, received scholarships and awards for their participation. Awardees included Lauren Wong and Tracy Huynh. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Typically, there are 300 to 400 attendees per opening, according to Fillmore, which she said helps others learn. “I think that sometimes it’s really nice to come with someone, because then you can talk about it with someone to exchange ideas,” Fillmore said. “So, then all of a sudden now, it’s not just us taking you on a journey and telling you something or, you know, letting you think about something, but now you’re communicating to somebody else, which I think is a beautiful thing. People need to communicate more.” Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
Se En Park shared she is not used to sharing her artwork. “I feel like it’s good exposure,” Park said. She appreciates the support. The sculpture called Mid-Flight is meant to imitate a creature caught off guard in the wild. Park encourages people to go up close to view the intricacies of her work, which took a week to complete. Victoria Mejicanos | The Poly Post
