Brian Benfer is a San Diego painter, performance artist, educator, ceramist and 2022 Fulbright Scholar. His chalkboard installations explore education and academia as systems through which information is learned and processed. Chalkboards have historically been used in academia to transfer information. However, they are becoming obsolete. Like drawing, the act of writing physically involves the body in the process of communication, which is similarly becoming increasingly limited.

Brian Benfer’s Chalkboards at CVAC, a former newspaper printing facility, will pay homage to the history of the space through site-specific works. Benfer recalls past inhabitants, and retained energy in his chalkboards through the use of a porcelaneous composite for the fabrication of the “chalk”. This unique material used on the chalkboards allows Benfer to simultaneously create a discourse regarding histories and the field of contemporary ceramics.

Brian uses a large handmade chalk that when used crates a fine dust that floats to the floor.

Chalk was first formed into small manageable pieces for the convenience of artists and academics. The method was to grind natural chalk to a fine powder, then add water, clay as a binder, and various dry colors. The handmade chalk Brian uses is on display. Please join us in the gallery Saturday September 23rd, 5-8pm for the public reception of Brian Benfer’s CHALKBOARDS.

A public reception for the artist will be held Sept. 23, 5-8 PM at CVAC, 45140 T Towne Street Indio, CA 92201.