"Vibrant Notes” opens in the newly named Richard Anthony Marks Gallery

Richard Anthony Marks was a student walking the halls of San Diego State University’s Art South building. Now, his legacy fills those walls in a new way. Vibrant Notes: Paintings by Richard Anthony Marks is on view Sept. 2-25, and serves as the first exhibition in the newly named Richard Anthony Marks Gallery. The exhibition not only highlights a decade of his work but also celebrates the relationship between Marks, SDSU, and San Diego’s art community.

The exhibition showcases more than 20 works created between 1963 and the mid-1970s, offering visitors a look into a decade of Marks’ career. His artistic process was influenced not only by the colors on his palette but also by the music playing in his studio, interpreting high notes as cool blues and violets, while viewing low notes as vibrant reds and oranges.

“There is an incredible amount of animation and movement, especially through brushstroke and texture, that can be found in all of his artworks,” said Chantel Paul, director of the SDSU Galleries. “Visually, the vibrations and relationships between the colors and composition are very active. Richard was very in tune with his materials, and it is present in the artworks on display.”

Richard Anthony Marks is an alumnus of the School of Art and Design, receiving his bachelor’s and Master of Fine Arts degrees from SDSU. His artwork has been exhibited at the La Jolla Museum of Art (now the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego) and the San Diego Art Institute (now ICA San Diego). In addition to his artistic contributions, Marks served on the board of ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) and taught art education across San Diego County at various schools. These included Hoover, Patrick Henry, Midway, and Chula Vista Adult schools.

The exhibition features pieces from his 1964 MFA thesis project, “Eleven Variations of a Still Life,” presenting his abstract pieces that reinterpret a single subject. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view archival items, including regional press coverage, exhibition reviews, and teaching materials, which highlight his influence on the San Diego arts community.

“This exhibition is a way to celebrate Richard Anthony Marks’ long arc of a career and share with students more about the artist behind the gallery’s new name,” Paul said. “A San Diego native, Marks dedicated his life to producing his own work and teaching others through his career as an adult educator. His work has been widely exhibited in the region, and he is a significant figure in the history of contemporary art in San Diego.” 

The gallery was renamed in December 2024 to coincide with the establishment of the Richard Anthony Marks Endowment. This fund will enhance the SDSU gallery experience by supporting exhibitions, visiting artist programs, and improvements to gallery spaces.

“The endowment is the first of its kind for the gallery program, and with it, we’ll be able to plan for facility upgrades as well as continued support for programming of all kinds,” Paul said.

The SDSU gallery program not only hosts exhibitions but also organizes public events, including lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, all of which are free and open to the public. Faculty often incorporate these exhibitions into their curriculum, providing students with opportunities to connect their coursework to the artwork.

Join the community in celebration

The School of Art and Design will host a public ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the dedication of the Richard Anthony Marks Gallery on Friday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon.

“In 2027, we’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University Art Gallery,” Paul said. “This endowment will absolutely help as we plan more robust exhibitions and public programming around that anniversary.”

With “Vibrant Notes” as its inaugural exhibition, the gallery establishes a foundation for the future of student achievement.

For more information, visit https://art.sdsu.edu/