Just as its name implies, the Muckenthaler Cultural Center is no stranger to embracing and sharing culture with the Fullerton community.

For years The Muck has been a guiding light to Fullerton, directing it’s residents back to the beauty of culture and art. This year is no different as The Muck hosted its first gallery opening reception of the year, “Doris Rosenthal – An American Artist in Mexico” on Thursday Feb. 5.

Guests walked in and were welcomed with Mexican style snacks like churros and quesadillas. Portraits surrounding the rooms showed a simpler time.

One couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace as the paintings, decorated in beautiful custom engraved frames, enlightened audiences with what life was like for people in our neighboring country.

This was the beautiful artwork of Doris Rosenthal, from her time spent in Mexico during the ’30s.

“This was actually possible because we have a great man in our community who had a great aunt who painted all this work,” said Zoot Velasco, executive director of The Muck while welcoming guests to the gallery. “She was a woman who studied with all the great masters of her time in the ’20s and ’30s.”

The exhibit was presented by the owners of the artwork, Dennis Boyer and Carole Renfrow, whom are brother and sister and the great nephew and niece to Rosenthal. The event was curated by Matthew Leslie, director of exhibitions at The Muck.

The Muck displayed around 70 art pieces according to Boyer.

Rosenthal was a famous artist in her time. Her work can still be admired today, however like most artists, her work is becoming forgotten.

“It’s quite a collection, we’re just trying to get Doris back into the limelight nationally,” Boyer said. “She was an important artist of her time, but like many artists after they die, their work doesn’t get promoted and they get forgotten.”

Boyer added that most guests at the exhibits ask about purchasing Rosenthal’s artwork, which he explains are not for sale but simply to enjoy and honor the memory of his great aunt.

“It’s very emotional [referring to seeing his aunt’s artwork displayed], my stepfather was really close to Doris he was like a son to her and he was a real patron of her art.” Boyer said.

Celebrating culture is always key to The Muck and honoring an artist like Rosenthal brought something truly special to the Fullerton community.

“It brings to light somebody who is well known. It shows a time period getting further in the past and it brings a high level of work to the community,” Leslie said. “It’s such a rare opportunity to have somebody who owns a large chunk of work and to show it all at once is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I really hope the community sees it.”

The gallery is open now until April 4, with a gallery tour scheduled for March 5.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center is located at 1201 W. Malvern Ave.