Death lingers in every shadow. It coils beneath the serpent's fangs, blossoms within the fairest flowers, sleeps in the earth beneath our feet, and waits with quiet patience for every beating heart. 

 invites you on a haunting journey from the silent dangers of the natural world to the solemn beauty of Victorian mourning, and finally beyond the veil through séances, divination, and tales of restless spirits. Blending science, history, folklore, and the supernatural, this exhibition explores not only how we confront death, but why humanity has always sought to understand what may lie beyond the final breath.

Click Here to get tickets for the Opening Reception!

Final Rites: Death, Mourning, & Beyond

Josephine Hernandez is a Garden Grove–based, partially blind visual artist whose work explores themes of blindness and visual impairment through an intimate and empowering lens.

Working primarily with acrylic and acrylic gouache, Hernandez challenges conventional narratives that often frame disability in terms of limitation. 

A recurring subject in her paintings is blind skateboarders—figures in motion that embody independence, confidence, and self-determination. Through these dynamic compositions, Hernandez reimagines the visual language surrounding blindness, portraying blind and low-vision individuals as active, capable leaders of their own lives. 

Her work invites viewers to question assumptions and engage with a broader, more nuanced understanding of ability and identity.

Travelers By Josephine Hernandez

 is a collection of ten vibrant abstract works by 

 that challenges the long standing narrative that Caribbean history began with Christopher Columbus in 1492. Through bold color, layered symbolism, and contemporary techniques, the series highlights the enduring presence and cultural legacy of the Taíno people.

The collection was created after Mendoza discovered her Puerto Rican and Taíno heritage. This personal exploration of ancestry and identity informs each piece in the series, resulting in a body of work that reflects both cultural rediscovery and historical reflection.

Working on watercolor paper with natural, jagged edges, Mendoza uses spray paint and acrylic paint markers to merge ancient Taíno symbolism with modern urban art practices. This combination creates a visual dialogue between past and present. Her vivid palette references the lush landscapes of Borikén, now known as Puerto Rico, and the surrounding Caribbean, while the contemporary techniques connect the work to current artistic expressions.

The title references the year 1491, the final moment before European colonization altered the cultural and political landscape of the Caribbean. By naming the series 

, Mendoza emphasizes that Taíno culture did not disappear with European contact. Instead, it continues to influence Caribbean identity and heritage today.

Across the collection, circular forms echo celestial Taíno symbols, while flowing lines suggest the rhythms of land and sea central to island life. Intricate patterns layered with bold fields of color represent the complex intersections of history, mythology, and lived experience.

Through this series, Mendoza contributes to an ongoing conversation about Indigenous Caribbean identity and challenges the misconception that Taíno culture vanished after colonization. 

 celebrates cultural resilience, continuity, and the powerful process of personal discovery while inviting viewers to reconsider familiar historical narratives and engage with the living legacy of Taíno culture.

1491: Taíno Alive By Salina Angelique Mendoza (SAM)

The Fullerton Museum Center proudly presents 

 a new biennial juried exhibition dedicated exclusively to artists living and working in Orange County, the only exhibition of its kind in the region.

Showcasing 108 artists and over 130 artworks, the exhibition spans painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media, reflecting the breadth and creative vitality of Orange County’s contemporary art scene. Together, these works form an evolving narrative shaped by diverse voices, grounded in place, and defined by each artist’s unique perspective.

We are honored to have esteemed pillars of the art community serve as guest jurors: Abel Alejandre, multidisciplinary artist; John D. Spiak, Director and Chief Curator of Grand Central Art Center; and Dave Tourjé, multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of the California Locos collective, who will select the top three winners, announced on Opening Day.

Curated by Georgette Collard, Museum Curator, and Jasmine McNeal, Fullerton College Art Gallery Curator.

OC MADE: Celebrating Orange County Artists

“Dreams and Liminality,” an exhibition by Taylor Moon Castagnari, is a photographic series that explores the thin veil between dreams and reality. Set within liminal environments such as doctor’s offices and airports, the work uses metaphor to evoke the subconscious and invite viewers to reconsider everyday constructs and biases. The series will be presented as a solo exhibition at the Fullerton Museum Center, where the gallery will be transformed into a dreamlike environment referencing banal office-style waiting areas.