Delta College fosters an arts friendly environment by hiring artists as instructors, offering lessons in a variety of forms and housing the L.H. Horton Jr. Gallery on the main campus that brings professional art within reach of all students.
For some students, an art class is a fun way to fulfill a humanities requirement.
For others it is a serious undertaking.
Daniel Fernandez is completing his general education before enrolling in the radiological technology program.
“I like the different kinds of music while we work, it helps us feel creative,” said Fernandez when asked about his favorite part of artist and instructor Wesley Wright’s 3-D class.
In addition to drawing and painting classes, sculpture, ceramics and 3-D design classes offer students the opportunity to explore the use of different materials ranging from the traditional clay and plaster to modern products such as wire, cardboard and tape.
“It’s giving me a new outlet of thought, making projects that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own,” said art major Lauralynn Ripoyl, who is also studying 3-D design with Wright.
When Tara Heinzen first took Joe Mariscal’s ceramics class, she had no expectation of discovering a lifelong avocation.
“Ceramics and sculpture engage multiple senses and require you to center yourself to shape your material,” said Heinzen, who is now working toward a master’s degree in art therapy.
Heinzen formerly took classes with Mariscal in 1995. She returned this spring for Mariscal’s final semester of instruction.
The work of artist and instructor Shenny Cruces is part of the Horton Gallery’s current exhibition, Women In Art – Herstories, which runs through March 27.
Two advanced students in Cruces’ sculpture class, Jose Davila and Jasmeen Guitierrez, are preparing works for installation on campus, one of which will be a mermaid located near the koi pond in the quad.
“I would like to be an artist, but it doesn’t pay well,” said Davila, who likes to surprise people with art pieces hidden in unexpected places on campus.
To intentionally view examples of works produced by Delta students, visit the 16th Annual Student Art Exhibition opening in the gallery on April 23.
