By Tomas Alonso
Arts & Culture Editor

Artist Terry Blas visited campus on April 9 to give a seminar that was insightful, humorous and deeply personal. He spoke candidly about breaking into the comic industry, the complexities of growing up as a Hispanic-American, and how storytelling shifts depending on the medium — be it comics, TV or graphic novels.

The college’s Alexander Gallery is hosting an exhibit of his work through April 30; the gallery, located in the Niemeyer building, is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, except on college holidays.

Blas giving his seminar to a small crowd in Niemeyer. Photos by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

The room was purposefully dark, making the projector the main source of light as it beamed comic book panels onto one wall, creating a dynamic experience for visitors. Blackout curtains at the entrance and a few rows of benches kept the gallery space simple but clean, allowing the colors of Blas’ work to draw the attention.

Just before the event, Blas shared a bit about how he ended up in Oregon:

“Seventeen years ago, I moved to Portland. I was living in California. A friend of mine had been working in the comic book industry here and recommended I come up and apply to some schools,” Blas said. That advice led him to the Pacific Northwest College of Art, which merged with Willamette University in 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Blas relocated to West Linn. Upon learning that one of his former professors, Trevor Dodge, now worked at CCC, he accepted an invitation to speak at the college’s annual Compose Creative Writing Conference.

Blas’ visit was a testament to how far a creative path can take someone, and how returning to smaller, local venues can be just as meaningful as the bigger stages. His stories resonated with students and faculty alike, making his appearance a highlight of this year’s creative arts programming.

“Every single time I’ve ever had any kind of exchange with Terry Blas, I learned something,” said Dodge, who teaches English at CCC. “This was always the case; he was one of those students who you’d see other students writing down the names and projects he would freestyle on in class discussions; his brain is such an encyclopedia for the medium, it’s kind of ridiculous.”

Blas speaks in front of a projected comic panel.

Kate Simmons, an instructor and gallery director at CCC spoke on how this exhibit was different from some in the past.

“The installation for the Terry Blas exhibition has been unique because of the use of projection,” said Simmons. “We are very lucky the gallery is capable of supporting diverse exhibitions. With current technology it was very easy for the artist to transmit digital files and then have them wirelessly sent to the projector. Projection gave us opportunities for large scale format and was a versatile way to share content. It worked out well.”

Genevieve Tobin, a student in the art program, had taken a class on comics the previous year where Blas appeared as a guest speaker. Reflecting on her experience, she said,

“When he came in to talk, it was super cool to hear him talk about art and the business side of things, but also his life,” she said. “I don’t really read a lot of comics, but when I heard he was speaking, I knew I had to come check it out.”

Blas’ presence on campus not only highlighted his impressive career and storytelling talent but also underscored the power of representation, creative perseverance and community. His visit, along with the ongoing exhibit “Subsequently,” gave students, faculty, and visitors alike the chance to engage with art that is vibrant, relevant and rooted in lived experience. Whether through a projected comic panel or a passing conversation in the gallery, Blas left an impact that will resonate far beyond the walls of the Niemeyer Center.

Attendees watching Blas speak.