By Lookout Staff

April 7, 2026 -- A Santa Monica College (SMC) student art exhibition that opened Monday explores the concept of "home" as a "living and fluid condition," school officials said.

A collaboration between SMC's Art Department and the 18th Street Arts Center (18SAC), “Calls from Home” will be on view through April 30 and features the work of eight student artists "who currently call Los Angeles home."

"Whether the featured artists explore displacement by state violence, gentrification, appropriation, or environmental disaster, movement is a common thread that weaves together each work," exhibit organizers said.

The artists "explore themes of cultural memory, negotiating identity, reclaiming space, and building community" and their work addresses a number of questions.

"How to respond to feeling out of place? What to bring to it? What to leave behind? How to create internal and community sanctuary when life is unstable?"

The exhibition is curated and mounted by students in SMC’s Art 80/82/84 Gallery Exhibitions & Display course that offers hands-on experience in exhibition planning, research, operation and management of exhibition spaces, school officials said.

The course “aims to demystify the art world and highlight how arts professionals often wear multiple hats,” said art instructor Kim Garcia, who teaches the course.

A free gallery reception will be held Friday, April 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Atrium at the 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th Street.

The event will begin with a film premiere "showcasing a series of interviews with the exhibiting artists, and offering a deeper look into their creative processes."

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the student curators, graphics team and outreach specialists, organizers said.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the exhibit installation and “have a fun opportunity to contribute to a communal art piece,” said Garcia. “This is a family-friendly event, and all are welcome to join us in celebration!”

The exhibition, developed through close collaboration with the staff and artists in residence at 18th Street Arts Center, features artwork by Luciana Abait, Jeff Beall, Takashi Horisaki, Dan Kwong, Momo Nagano, Rivka Nehorai, Ara Oshagan and Carol Zou.

More information about “Calls from Home” and exhibition-related activities is available at 18thstreet.org or by calling 310-453-3711.