WCC Humanities Department: Art History & Studio Art ť Students

Cynthia Stewart, student taking studio art courses at WCC:

I had thought about doing art for a number of years, and when I stopped working, I decided to try it at WCC. And I loved it. I was so pleased with the instruction, and I continued to take courses and missed it when I wasn't taking a course. I think I've taken all the art courses, and I've been delighted with what I've learned and the kind of instruction I've received.

There's a real interest in helping the student develop, rather than having the student perform. And the thing that I've noticed is in all of the courses I've taken that, regardless of the talent of the student, there is always something positive, or something that a particular student does, that you can learn from. I've admired the faculty in that they tend to look at the good things students are doing, independent of their "artistic ability," whatever that means. Some of the students clearly are not going to be artists, but yet that isn't the issue in the class. And I've really enjoyed that, and learned a lot from it, and admired the faculty for doing it. It's just been a neat experience.

For what I wanted and for what my needs are, I've been very pleased with what I've gotten at WCC. It's one of those unique things, where you can enjoy it and still be learning stuff. And that's a really great combination! And I see no reason to go to a senior institution. Every once in a while, I think, well, maybe I should get a BFA. And then I think, Why? I'm content not to have to go through another academic hoop.

It's a pleasure to be in an environment where clearly the students' development is the priority and the faculty aren't so preoccupied with having to succeed. I think they're much more relaxed in working with students. It's a wonderful climate!

Martin Thoburn, student taking studio art courses at WCC:

I joined the Middle College the first year that it opened and stayed on at WCC after I graduated to continue working on my degree in Graphic Design. I decided to go off to an art school in Chicago after that for a year, and that's when I became more interested in fine art. When I came back to Ann Arbor I wanted to continue exploring fine art, and I figured WCC was a good place for me to do that. I do enjoy the art classes at WCC. My first one was a Basic Design course, which was a requirement for the Graphic Design program. I wasn't really into fine art so much; I was more computer-oriented at the time. But I wanted to get a good foundation for a career in design, and that's why I'm currently exploring more art classes.

I've felt very comfortable in all of the courses that I've taken at WCC, especially in the fine art program. The teachers are very nice, and they push you hard. That was one thing that my teachers did at Columbia, in Chicago, and I think that WCC has the same sort of environment. WCC is a very serious school, and it's a very serious program. A lot of times people think, "Well, I'll take a drawing class and it will be no problem." But that is not the case. I mean, if you want to do well in the class, you really have to put in a lot of work.

Relations between faculty and the students at Washtenaw are very good, for the most part. I mean, not every student is going to be as reachable as others, but I definitely notice that a lot of the students continually follow the teachers, take all of their classes. The teachers are very right on, very open-minded, easily able to connect to a lot of the students. A lot of good teachers at WCC!

I'm going to continue taking fine art classes as long as I'm in the area. WCC is a great outlet. If you're looking to get an Associates degree, or if you want to transfer to an art school, or if you're just looking at it for personal pleasure, the program will suit all of those needs. The program holds something for everybody.