Beautiful works created by Pierce art students from featured in OLY building for public to enjoy
Rebecca Smith
Staff Writer
Everywhere we look there is some form of art, from the buildings to the food that we eat. In the Olympic building, various paintings and photographs are displayed along its hallways. Did you ever stop to think “I wonder who created that?” Surprisingly, your fellow classmates created all of those pieces that you see.
Locally renowned artist and instructor David Roholt teaches several classes, including Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Drawing and Painting, with Printmaking as a side course. “I’m a painter by trade, so I spend a lot of time painting and looking at paintings,” says Roholt. ”Two-dimensional art. The painted surface, I think, is my most favorite kind of art.” Out of the many courses he teaches, he is most in favor of teaching Acrylic Painting.
Every other week, there is a new display of various artworks from the students; from charcoal portraits to watercolor landscapes. Students partaking in an art class endure the tough lesson of learning patience. Some works may take a week or more to complete. Sometimes this can pose a frustrating challenge for students, who may get impatient with their own work.
Roholt states his solution to that problem, saying, “What I try to do is keep an open, free environment where student can be relaxed so that they can explore art without any kind of pressure.” He then adds, “Hopefully, the grade doesn’t become an underlying issue of the class. Rather, I would like them to just be interested in exploring new things and trying something different.”
Student artwork is displayed in the hallway for an interesting reason. First, it’s to expose the variety of art available to the students of Pierce College. Secondly, it helps the students overcome their insecurities and fears about displaying personal artwork for all to judge. Lastly, the hallway showcase serves as a precursor in preparation for the artists’ own future art shows.
All of the student artwork is located on the second floor of the Olympic building, as well as the featured art in the Art Gallery. Make sure to stop by to appreciate your classmate’s work and explore something new.
