Rowland Heights native gets her art on

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Cabrina Alviar took her time getting to fine art,
but her exhibit, which closes Thursday, July 19, at Heritage Gallery at
Azusa Pacific University has been worth the wait.

Alviar grew up in Rowland Heights and spent years studying science,
inspired by her high school biology class to pursue the field. But after
getting a bachelor of science in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton,
the Azusa resident decided to head back to art school.

“In high school I was always doing art but it was more of a hobby,”
she said recently. “In a way my family encouraged me to go into the
medical field … but once I graduated I realized it wasn’t my true
passion.”

Alviar had taken a few design classes in high school and signed up
for a few more after she earned her first degree, to build her
portfolio. Her hard work paid off when she got her bachelor of arts from
Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

“Growing up, my dad influenced me and encouraged me to do art. He
loved art and he taught me how to paint,” she said. “But I never thought
I could actually do that for a living.”

Read more in Melissa Masatani’s story ART.