Chatting with the Arts

The Yuba College Art Department kicked of the year with an art show in the Yuba College library that showcased students’ watercolors.

An end of the semester art show is also in the works. This show, also at the library, will feature works created by Yuba College art students throughout the fall semester. The library will also house this exhibition. A reception for the show with the artists will take place in the library on December 6, 2006.

The following day the Yuba College Art Department will hold an art sale of student works. What used to be strictly a ceramics sale now includes water colors and prints from the printmaking class. The sale will be held at Yuba College December 7th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Sara Sealander, head of the Yuba College Art Department, will display her recent works this fall. Running from October 2 – October 30, the exhibit will be held at the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council. On Friday, October 6th, a reception with the artist will take place at the council from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Yuba-Sutter Arts Council is located on the corner of 7th and E streets in Marysville. The two exhibits and the sale are open to the public.

Terry Turner, who teaches Drawing, Sculpture, and Art History this semester, continues to expand the Woodland art offerings. Next semester he will offer a design class featuring Web page designs as well as an Art/English class called Multimedia Communications, team taught with English Professor Cynthia Kellogg. Both classes will offer instructions and practice in a variety of computer programs. Turner emphasizes that the computer is a valuable tool for students wanting to be creative.

For Turner, “the computer” means a Mac. He explains, “Most students are not familiar with Macs, and we are trying to get them more comfortable because Macs are the preferred platform when it comes to using graphic art programs.”

Turner has a grand vision for the future of Art at Woodland. With the opening of the Learning Resources Center in the fall of 2007, some art classes will have access to a multimedia center fully equipped with Macs. In the future he would like to see a digital photography course offered by the Art Department.

In 2008, Woodland should become its own college within the Yuba District, and he predicts “the arts will flourish.” He hopes one day to see an art gallery at Woodland highlighting all the eclectic works of art.

The Yuba College Photography Department is adapting to the demands of the photography industry, offering more courses in computer-based imaging. Richard Murai, the Photography Professor at Yuba College explains that while this movement is beneficial, the change has been stimulated because of rising costs of traditional, chemical-based methods of photography.

“We are forced to move into [the] digital realm because of the rising cost related to the lack of availability of film and paper,” says Professor Murai.

The transition from traditional photography to digital allows students to gain necessary experience for careers in digital photography and imaging. In fact, for the first time ever Yuba College is offering a certificate in digital imaging. Murai states that upon the completion of four classes, students will not only work well with scanners and Photoshop, but will show “levels of competence and proficiency in digital imaging necessary for entry into the job market.”

This recent development in the curriculum also allows amateur photographers a simple, cost-effective way to learn more about the craft and understand modern digital technology; however, he wants more involvement from the community.

Murai says, “In order for us to continue providing great programs we need participation from our community and support from the administration and board.”