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LOCAL NEWS PASADENA
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Pasadena Media Foundation is dedicated to saving local news. Our publications feature provocative reporting about the Greater Pasadena and Greater Southern California areas.

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San Gabriel

Thirty years in the making: Garden of Dreams blooms in San Gabriel

By Cheri Cabot,

11 hours ago
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The West Coast Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) opened its annual Senior Art Show, “Garden of Dreams,” with a ceremony on October 18, 2026. The exhibition features work by 21 young artists preparing to enter college.

“Today is a special day for another reason as well — it also marks our school’s 30th anniversary,” WCAAD Principal Lei Wang said. “Three decades ago, our school began as a small seed planted in the soil of education. Thirty years later, we have not only seen generations of students flourish, but today, here in the Garden of Dreams, we see something new; a young generation lighting up the world through art.”

The actual 30th anniversary of WCAAD is in 2027, but this art show introduces the events coming throughout the year.

“What we’re going to do today is a soft opening, and then we’re just going to do a lot of events coming at the end of 2027. So at this little, small event we’re starting with the senior group and then going from there,” Omar Gallegos, Vice Principal and Director of Education, said. “We’re going to start now, and then eventually we’re going to release a 30-year commemorative book as well.”

“This culminates our thirtieth anniversary for the school, but also it’s a chance for students to submit this for their portfolio, and showcase their talents,” Gallegos said.

“We all chose five works with the theme ‘Garden of Dreams.’ They [the students] chose it, they curated, they organized, so I was very proud of them to see them just come together as a team, as a unit, communicate, build friendships, and you can see the artwork.”

“It’s big, it’s not quiet, so there’s a lot of artists that want to say a lot of the community, they incorporate AI, but it’s funny how, you know, nature was actually the theme that they chose, right?” Gallegos continued.

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(L-R) Assistant Principal Omar Gallegos, Councilwoman Denise Menchaca and Principal Lei Wang attend the event. Photo: Cheri Cabot

Gallegos’ own son, Alucard Gallegos, had his art displayed at the show. Following the theme of Garden of Dreams, Alucard’s art depicts some dreams he had.

“This piece was based on an old fear of mine I had when I was younger.” Alucard said, “I used to be really scared of mutation and radiation, and then eventually as I grew older, I guess I just got more comfortable. It turned into fascination, and then I would just research and research. Basically,  when I was, I’d say, around like 15 or 16, I decided to take this and create my own concepts and basically  challenge the idea of what is normal. I guess zombies in like games or movies are just  gray or green people.”

“So, I wanted to challenge that and combine what I know from radiation and all that stuff. Additionally,  like, put my own creative-like aspects and just fuse them into a bunch of ideas,” Alucard continued.

“This show shows current work for the community at large and also that it can be used in their overall resume and activities right before their applications,” Gallegos said. “Coming here in this academy many years ago, there was nothing like a portfolio program that would be consistent in sending many students to these prestigious colleges with high scholarships. I began hosting senior shows to create an outlet for students year after year. I want them to understand the importance of their art practice and professionalism.”

Working with students on their portfolios has paid off. WCAAD students have been the recipients of scholarships, often full scholarships,  to colleges and universities across the country.

“We have a wide range of majors, including non-art majors who can use this art form to bring a different perspective and supplemental creative work in their applications and balance to their lives for enrichment,” Gallegos stated.

According to Principal Lei, applying to college is, at its core, a long season of cultivation.

“These students are in the middle of a crucial season — college applications — and yet their work here shows a maturity and technical strength beyond their years. Every piece in this room carries their exploration, their breakthroughs, and their own distinct perspective and creative energy.”

WCAAD is open to all ages and abilities, from preschool to senior citizens, and offers online classes as well. The school is located at 420 Pine St. in San Gabriel, CA. They are open Monday-Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sat-Sun 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

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