Career Opportunities and Work Life

Skills You'll Need

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The Classroom Experience

Certificate & Degree Options

"There is a concrete beginning to art, and it isn't by looking at art," says Lake Michigan College program coordinator and instructor, Ken Schaber. "Nearly everything in my classes is hands-on. From the first day of class, students are allowed to explore their artistic selves."

Expectations and Skills Taught
"I expect my students to attend class on-time, and work to the best of their ability," says Ken. "Because art is very subjective, when I grade my studio classes, I look at effort, creative talent, attendance, and work ethic. You can't get a good grade if you don't show up."

Depending on your interests, LMC offers a variety of art courses, including:

• Design
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Weaving
• Sculpture

Whichever artistic path you choose, a great deal of importance will be on building a portfolio that represents all your work. "I help students in any way I can to create a strong portfolio that they are able to take as they transfer to four-year schools," says Ken.

Studio art courses are typically three credit hours, and require six hours of studio time. "I teach the classes for art majors. If you are not an art major, you're still welcome to sign up for the course, but be prepared to be pushed artistically," says Ken. Art courses are open to all students.

With the average class size around 16 students, you'll have plenty of room to move and enough one-on-one time to ask questions and receive personal attention.

Getting the Most from the Program
"To get the most out of my classes, students need to turn off the left side of the brain and turn on the creative right side," says Ken. "Our society is so use to having to rationalize everything. You can't learn art rationally; you have to go on intuition and feelings."

Technology in the Classroom
The Art History courses offer a variety of technologies that are used in conjunction with traditional lecture and hands-on activities. PowerPoint presentations, the Internet, and materials available on Blackboard - the College's instructional Intranet - play an important role in class. Slides and videos of major artistic movements supplement lecture.

Kilns, pottery wheels, and darkrooms are used in studio art courses.