Art exhibit showcases student talent
Students are displaying a wide variety of their artwork in the Art Gallery at Umpqua Community College in the annual student art show now until June 5. Out of 300 student entries, 59 were selected for display.
Three students were selected for a Juror’s Choice Award and $100 cash prize. Susie Day was awarded for her etching “Saturni Pulvis.” Valerie Bean was awarded for her drawing “Gaze Upon Me and Despair.” Jason Buir was awarded for his photograph “Order and Chaos.”
“UCC has a thriving arts program; many of our students have gone on to careers in visual arts and have opened their own studios,” Susan Rochester, the department chair for Fine and Performing Arts, said.
Art programs are slowly beginning to make a comeback in the Oregon public school system after 15 years of decline. Because of the lack of traditional art classes, many students may not be aware of talents they may possess in the field.
“I see quite a few students that come to UCC and take art classes without having done so in high school,” Rochester said, adding that “some may have developed bad habits because they had to learn on their own, but after about 20 hours of instruction they are able to see dramatic improvement.”
Art also helps to develop problem solving skills that may otherwise lie dormant. A Harvard study of medical students concluded that 39 percent of the students in the study who were enrolled in art classes were able to ask a wider variety of questions to better diagnose their patients’ illnesses.
With fall registration underway, students may find that adding an art course will add value to their overall education and maybe uncover a new talent.
