About the Gallery Founded in June of 1998, First Street Gallery blends educational curriculum and student involvement with the local community. Located on the waterfront in the heart of the historic Old Town district of Eureka, California, the Gallery provides needed exhibition space for local artists, invited artists from out of the area, and produces educational literature about current developments in the arts and their relevance. With the growth of the HSU campus, the Gallery extends a nationally recognized learning environment to the greater North Coast community. The Gallery enhances community awareness of the visual arts through exposure to art exhibitions previously unavailable to this region. Additionally, the Gallery serves as a major component of the successful Arts Alive project, timing show openings to coincide with this important local event. On a normal Arts Alive evening, for example, the gallery receives 800 to 1,000 visitors. Mission To provide HSU students with opportunities to learn firsthand about interpreting, curating and preparing art exhibits. Three academic programs are supported by the gallery: The Museum and Gallery Practices Program Service Learning Directed Studies Internships This valuable experience has helped many of our students to successfully gain admission to graduate programs and to also secure jobs in schools, museums and galleries around the nation. To provide opportunities for the public to come into contact with the art made by the faculty, the students and the alumni of Humboldt State University. Currently, over 16,000 guests visit the gallery annually. To provide the public with exhibitions of contemporary art that would otherwise be unseen in our region. To provide a public gallery for exhibitions formed in an academic context, which means that the material on view will be interpreted for the viewer in light of issues significant to the times and to a variety of world cultures. A Recognized Contemporary Art Gallery First Street Gallery organizes and presents exhibitions with a special focus on contemporary art. The Gallery's commitment to bring recognized artists to Humboldt County continually vitalizes the already thriving art scene. Exhibitions of the work of practicing art faculty from our own University as well as from distinguished universities across the country provide a broad spectrum of the significant, and often spectacular developments in contemporary art. With the vision and leadership of First Street Gallery, the Humboldt County art world can attract some of the most interesting artists and ideas currently being developed. First Street Gallery's exhibitions and public programs also highlight the work of distinguished faculty, alumni, students and regional artists. Additionally, First Street Gallery expands the activities of the Art Department's academic program, visiting artist program, student gallery, and continuing education program. Ongoing activities of First Street Gallery that provide links between HSU, the community and local schools include public lectures, special exhibits, and informal discussions with exhibiting artists and arts professionals.

Humboldt State University | first@humboldt.edu