Graduates of Laguna College of Art & Design's Master of Fine Arts Program present a group show of Contemporary Realist Painting at the Demossa Gallery in Laguna Beach October 2 through November 3. The public is cordially invited to attend the opening reception and meet the artists on Thursday, October 2 from 6-9pm. The reception, to be held in conjunction with First Thursdays Artwalk, will also serve as the gallery's grand opening and ribbon-cutting officiated by Mayor Jane Egly and the Chamber of Commerce. The gallery is located at 1294-D South Coast Highway. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 12noon to 5pm.

Participating artists represent the inaugural graduating class of the MFA program and include Jessica Arsenian, Kaleeka Bond, Shay Bredimus, Maria Dudley, Machiko Naganuma, Carolin Peters, Sergio Rebia, and Scott Settle. The distinctive and skillfully executed paintings and works on paper reflect a broad range of approaches in terms of style and narrative content. The Master of Fine Arts in Painting program at Laguna College emphasizes contemporary realist painting, embraces the enduring value of pictorial art, and develops the technical and conceptual skills necessary to this demanding specialization.

Nestled among the shops and restaurants of a bustling downtown, The Demossa Gallery provides the local Laguna Beach art community with progressive paintings sculptures and works on paper exhibiting unique art intended for the intellectual and conceptual in a unique loft-style setting. The gallery was established to showcase international, national and local contemporary artists.

This collaborative show is the result of the relationship forged between artist Jessica Arsenian and owners Mahvash Mossaed and Dennis Roberts. After meeting during an exhibition earlier this summer, Jessica immediately connected with Mossaed and Roberts. She was subsequently hired as Gallery Director and is also featured in a solo exhibition at Demossa this September.

"Mahvash approached me and told me she wanted to do a show of contemporary realist painting of the 2008 MFA Grads at LCAD after receiving a great response from the pieces I have there," said Jessica. "She is generously curating and funding the show, and I'm coordinating the details as liaison to the artists. I'm doing this because I want to better the MFA program and our careers, and it's also another chance to work with Mahvash. She's determined, visionary, and she brings something new and exciting to Laguna Beach with her edgy eye." Jessica has also served as director of the summer Gallery 793 for two years showcasing the works of LCAD's graduate students during the festival season.