Tucked beside the bookstore is De Anza College’s own hidden treasure of art. The Euphrat Museum of Art is in a beautiful new building and full of pieces with cultural and political qualities. It features works highlighting modern issues as well as the diversity of the college’s students.

“This museum is an educational museum,” said Diana Argabrite, the director of Arts and School. Each piece shows a different viewpoint.

The museum’s staff of volunteers are knowledgeable about the pieces and available to answer any questions. The museum has several resources available for visitors to check out. It is open to the public and offers tours for children, seniors and the disabled. A call ahead arranges a bilingual tour. Anyone can volunteer to be on the staff and be a part of the museum.

“The responsibilities are shared evenly among the staff,” said museum volunteer Martha Carry.

“The conversation is always about art. Teachers, students, visitors, staff, that’s the conversation everyone’s having,” Carry said.

Making connections is only one benefit of volunteering for the museum or the Arts and Schools program. Students can also display their artwork in the annual spring student show. There are student pieces in the “Come on Down” section. The latest exhibit was of the altars for the “Day of the Dead.”

The exhibit featured right now is In Between: The Tension and Attraction of Difference. The pieces featured combine tradition with new style in a language-oriented way. There are works made with traditional media, like Lucy Sargeant’s large portraits. Some, like Sam Hernandez’s “Homage” and “Dichos Y Bichos” and Imin Yeh’s “Good imports,” are set apart by their use of unorthodox media. They include wood and household items such as vacuums and sunglasses. Some of Abraham Minor’s photography pieces are also on display.

The museum connects the local community with De Anza students on the common ground of art. Students can visit between classes or on a day off Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.deanza.edu/euphrat/ or call (408) 864-8836.