New pieces added to Winstein Commons Art Show

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Three new pieces have been added to the ongoing Art Show in the Winstein Commons, which opened in October 2022.

In 2004, the Saul and Sylvia Winstein Commons was established as a tribute to Professor Saul Winstein, renowned as one of the foremost organic chemists of his time.  The “Commons” name reflects the uniqueness of the combination of science, art, conversation, and collegiality experienced in the room. Faculty members, students, staff, and alumni have loaned or donated works of art created by chemists, friends, or members of their family, to decorate and enrich the room.  For more details about the Winstein Commons Art Show, click here.


The Winstein Commons Art Gallery’s Newest Additions

The Universe, 2023, painting by Sydney Jiang.

Sydney Jiang is the eight-year old daughter of Professors Acia Liu and Ken Houk. Her painting of the universe was inspired by her science lessons at Warner Avenue School summer camp.


Molecular Expressionist Art, 1964-1965, by G. Delbert Venerable.

In the 1960s, G. Delbert Venerable was a UCLA undergraduate who later became the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Lincoln University. He originated the concept of molecular expressionist art during his time at UCLA. A painting that has been in the Commons Art Collection since the beginning  portrays Saul Winstein’s renowned “non-classical” molecules alongside scenes crumbling classical temples, as nonclassical ions took over. In March 2010, G. Delbert Venerable presented a Special Chemistry Seminar titled “The Genesis of Molecular Expressionist Art in Depicting Matter.” The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is renaming one of its eight undergraduate residence halls in honor of Delbert Venerable’s father, Grant D. Venerable, who was the first African-American Caltech graduate following his transfer from UCLA.  The new work of art previously was displayed in a second floor conference room, and now hangs next to the first painting and a photo of Saul Winstein in front of that painting.


Three Paintings of Nature, Anonymous Donor

Three mysterious small paintings of flowers, placed on the wall very securely next to the largest painting on display.  We are still unaware of the artist or when they were put on the wall!