For nearly three decades, Professor Luis Gutierrez guided San José City College students through painting and drawing. Now retired, he is giving back by establishing the Luis Gutierrez Fine Art Scholarship, which supports SJCC art students transferring to four-year universities.
Gutierrez taught at SJCC from 1969 to 1995 and credits community colleges with shaping both his education and career. Raised in a working-class family, he found early encouragement in art and later pursued his studies through Diablo Valley College and San José State University, followed by a transformative year studying art in Mexico. He often shared that community colleges saved his life twice, first as a student and later as an educator.
In the classroom, Gutierrez emphasized art as expression and emotional truth, creating what he described as a sanctuary where students felt safe to explore their identities and experiences. That same spirit continues through the scholarship, which awards five $2,000 scholarships each year to art students transferring from SJCC. The first three scholarships were awarded this year.
Meeting the inaugural recipients was especially meaningful for Gutierrez. He shared that he hopes to serve as a mentor and remain a source of support as students continue their artistic journeys. The scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It is a continuation of the care and encouragement he offered students throughout his teaching career.
Credit: SJCC Marketing Department