CERRITOS — The Cerritos Library presents the exhibition “My Journeys Far and Near: The Art of Karen Koblitz” from Wednesday, March 4 through Wednesday, April 29 on the first floor of the library.

In this very personal exhibition, Koblitz shares ceramic and textile art pieces that highlight the many places she has studied and traveled. Her work follows the functional aspects of ceramics in her continuous use of the vessel, finding inspiration in the art, architecture and rituals of the places she has explored. 

Koblitz is a Los Angeles-based artist and an Associate Professor Emerita, University of Southern California. Her colorful, Art Deco-inspired ceramic piece “Non Fiction” is part of the Cerritos Library’s collection and is displayed in the Multimedia Area. Her work is also in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Renwick Gallery of American Art of the Smithsonian Institution. Her artwork has been featured in exhibitions throughout the United States and

in Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

To complement Koblitz’s exhibition, the library will offer two special activities on Thursday, April 16. A “Meet Artist Karen Koblitz” program (registration number 12062) will offer patrons an opportunity to meet Koblitz as she conducts a tour of her exhibition at 2 p.m. Koblitz will also teach a Ceramic Decal Workshop (registration number 12063) at 7 p.m. in the Skyline Room. Participants will create a unique piece of art by cutting and arranging commercial ceramic decals onto a glazed plate. The fee for the class is $5 per person and no refunds will be given.  Space for both programs is limited. Registration through the City’s RACER system begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 for Cerritos residents and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 for non-residents. 

Cerritos Library is located at 18025 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos. The library is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.