Peter Carr: Artist for Survival coming to Cerritos College Art Gallery – first comprehensive retrospective of poet, activist, and artist
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2024
Media Contact: Aya Aoki; Public Relations and Communications
Gallery Contact:James MacDevitt; director/curator, Cerritos College Art Gallery
WHAT: The Cerritos College Art Gallery will showcase PETER CARR: Artist for Survival, the
first comprehensive retrospective of poet, activist, and outsider artist Peter Carr
(1925-1981), from October 28 – December 13, 2024. The exhibition features Carr’s large-scale
paintings, drawings, political posters, notebooks, and self-published books. Carr's
unique style and handwritten text from his poetry reflect his strong activist spirit.
He co-founded the Orange County chapter of the Alliance for Survival and was the posthumous
namesake for the Peter Carr Peace Center at Cal State Long Beach. His work provides
sharp social commentary on the 1970s California coast, highlighting his opposition
to the nuclear and military-industrial complex.
After teaching as a comparative literature professor at Cal State Long Beach for many years, Carr's collection of drawings, paintings, and notebooks was passed on to his student and fellow activist, Andrew Tonkovich. The upcoming exhibition will be the first time many of these pieces will be publicly displayed. The exhibition is organized around recurring themes in Carr’s archive, with section titles taken from his signature poems. Each section explores Carr’s fascination with California, individuals in transit, humanity's connection with the natural world, ecological despair, societal issues, and the collective power of communities.
WHEN: October 28 – December 13, 2024
Monday, October 28
6 p.m.: Curator Talk
7-9 p.m.: Opening Reception
Saturday, November 23
1 p.m.: Live Poetry Readings
3-5 p.m.: Visitor Reception
Gallery Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 11a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Cerritos College Art Gallery
Fine Arts Building Room 107
11110 Alondra Blvd
Norwalk, CA 90650
Campus map: www.cerritos.edu/guide or www.cerritos.edu/google-map.
COST: Admission and events are free and open to the public.
Daily Parking is available for $3.00 in Lot 10 in the student white stalls only (use
the QR Code on the parking signs to purchase a daily permit).
About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers nearly 300 degrees and certificates in nine divisions. Annually, more than 5,000 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
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