Artist and Cal State San Bernardino alumna Jean Vezzalini will host a reception on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to showcase her paintings in the lobby of the Indian Wells Theater at the university’s Palm Desert Campus, with all proceeds from the exhibition to be donated for student scholarships.
 
After she retired in Italy, Vezzalini started to work on a dream to write and illustrate a collection of short stories in English. English is not her first or second language. Vezzalini speaks French, Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish and Greek. To attain that dream of writing a book in English, she chose College of the Desert to begin her studies.  
 
As an international student, Vezzalini completed an associate degree in liberal arts, English composition, and an associate degree in digital and design production from College of the Desert, and a bachelor’s degree in English, English literature track, in June 2006 from CSUSB. She continued her studies, and in June 2010, obtained a master of arts degree in communication studies. 
 
Along the way, Vezzalini worked on the campus newspaper at COD and became a watercolor, acrylic and oil painter. She has had two solo exhibitions of her work on the Garrow Gallery Wall at COD where 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to support the art department at COD. Her work has also been exhibited in the Walter N. Marks Center of the Arts in Palm Desert.
 
In 2008, the city of Palm Springs and the Public Arts Commission awarded Vezzalini with an Honorable Mention for “Typically Jam.” In 2009, the 11th City of Palm Springs Annual Juried Art Show nominated Vezzalini’s “Jenial” first in the Acrylic, Gouache and Tempera categories. 
 
Today Vezzalini lives between Italy and Rancho Mirage. Her thirst for knowledge continues to propel her to greater intellectual and artistic achievements. Most of all, she likes to share and give back.  
 
Her passion for the arts and communication elicit her enthusiasm. Whether volunteering at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus or working on the completion of her book of short stories, Vezzalini continues to make art. 
 
To RSVP to the reception, email Mike Singer at msinger@csusb.edu.
 
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is located at 37-500 Cook St.
 
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teaching credentials and certificates. With more than 1,600 students, it is the Coachella Valley’s four-year public university and plays a vital role in educating and training the region’s growing population.
 
For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Strategic Communication at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the campus website at pdc.csusb.edu.