NE Campus is preparing to open the Davis Gallery, establishing the campus’ first permanent art gallery.  

The new facility in NCAB will showcase student artwork, host faculty and visiting artist exhibitions and welcome members of the local community. 

The campus will go from using temporary hallway displays to providing a formal exhibition space where students can gain practical experience in curation, lighting and gallery setup. NE art instructor June Chau said these experiences help students view becoming an artist as an achievable goal. 

“What helps students feel like artists is literally just the gallery room,” Chau said. “It’s like, ‘Wait, this is actually doable.'” 

For NE art students, the space offers a tangible milestone by providing a central location for them to publicly present their projects. 

Isabelle Vasquez, who decided to pursue an art major after taking one of Chau’s classes, noted the value of having a professional outlet. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever had an opportunity to show my art off, other than to my family,” she said. 

The gallery is named after Larry Davis, a former government professor who served NE Campus from its opening in 1968 to his retirement in 2022. 

“Keeping his name on this space is an opportunity to connect an exciting new chapter for Northeast with an important part of our history,” said James Kumm, vice president of student affairs on NE Campus. “The Davis Gallery will honor a faculty member who spent more than 50 years serving students while creating a space that will serve and inspire future generations of TCC students.” 

The gallery is expected to feature rotating exhibitions throughout future semesters. It’s anticipated to open before the end of this semester, with public hours to be established prior to the official opening. 

Vasquez said once people view the gallery, it will provide more exposure and opportunities for student artists. 

“People would want to see more, and then it’s just like a domino effect, but in a good way,” she said.