Dorothy Herger’s ‘Curiosities’ Exhibit Opens in Vallejo at 101

A Life Shaped by Curiosity and Art

Dorothy Ann Herger has spent nearly all 101 years of her life looking at the world through an artist’s lens. From her six-week expedition in Ethiopia to her trekking across the Silk Road from China to Persia (now known as Iran), Herger has decades of travel stories that have shaped her artistic journey. Now, she is sharing her personal art and artifacts collected from around the world in an exhibition titled “Curiosities” at Mare Island Art Studios.

The exhibit features a collection of baskets, masks, ceremonial objects, and Herger’s own ceramic works. It also serves as a fundraiser for Mare Island Art Studios, with proceeds going towards producing future shows and building maintenance. Erin Bakke, an artist, studio manager, and organizer of the Art of Community show series, emphasized the cultural significance of the pieces on display.

“All of these artifacts are steeped in the cultures they come from. It’s a unique experience to see pieces from around the world right here in our own backyard,” Bakke said. “We paired her work (with artifacts) that have inspired or influenced it.”

Herger has traveled extensively throughout her life, collecting items from Italy, Egypt, Mexico, Greece, China, Bali, and Turkey—only a fraction of the places she has visited. Her first trip was to Peru, where she saw and collected pre-Colombian pottery. She had studied ceramics during her last two years at San Jose State University while getting her art teaching credential. She had always wanted to see it up close.

“I knew about (pre-Colombian) pottery. I had studied ceramics during my last two years at San Jose State University while getting my art teaching credential. I’d always wanted to see it up close,” Herger said. She also received a master’s degree from the California College of Arts.

Herger said she had done “quite a bit” of traveling before she taught. Throughout her career teaching art and ceramics at Vallejo High School, Vallejo Junior College, and Solano Community College, she would spend her summer vacations returning to countries across Europe, Asia, and other countries. When it came to selecting pieces to take home, she’d gravitate toward color combinations, forms, and the conditions of each piece.

“As an art history teacher, it’s been fascinating for me to see how creativity in the visual world has repeated itself and has continued developing new visions throughout the eras,” Herger said.

In addition to ceramics, she has long sketched and painted. “Now at the end of my century, I’ve been using pencils and crayons as a medium,” Herger said. “It’s practical that way.” She has been drawing for decades. In the 1960s, she did a series of drawings of Lower Georgia Street depicting a long-lost part of the town that used to be filled with casinos and bars for sailors.

Her drawings were featured in Brendan Riley’s book, “Lower Georgia Street: California’s Forgotten Barbary Coast”, released in 2017. “It’s been rewarding to live in Vallejo,” Herger said. “I’ve had freedom here with being able to do the type of art I’ve done and be appreciated.”

She added that it’s not often for a community to rally and support an artist. However, she feels more supported by the community with her upcoming exhibit. “Curiosity is the basis for knowledge,” said Herger. “Curiosity is a good way to start the nourishment of the creative mentality.”

Herger’s curiosity for art stemmed from childhood. “I would always draw and craft paper dolls,” Herger said. “The idea of copying these tiny drawings, to see these tiny details, copy it, and cut it out was quite extraordinary.” She added that she previously won awards for submitting her drawings to Aunt Elsie’s magazine, a children’s section as part of The Oakland Tribune. Aunt Elsie’s magazine launched in 1919.

“You would win a pencil box, sometimes a book,” Herger said. For the younger generation, she said she wants them to also be curious about art. “Go out to nature and find something that catches your eye. Find an object. Study it. Use whatever is most comfortable for you – a crayon, a pen, a brush. Always stay curious.”

An opening reception for “Curiosities” will take place on Sunday at 12 p.m., with a speech from Herger at 2 p.m. “Curiosities” will be open Sundays in March from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tim Rose Gallery at Mare Island Art Studios.