Professor Danella Sydow fulfills her passion for creating art, as well as through teaching it to her equally passionate students

Donna Kopmar
Staff Writer

     Danella Sydow is an art professor at Pierce College. She has taught here since the fall of 2008 and teaches design, 3-D and sculpture courses. Her art has been exhibited in New York, New Jersey, California, Idaho, and England.

     Sydow graduated from the University of Washington School of Art in Seattle. She received her master of fine arts in studio art from Washington State University.

     Before working at Pierce, she worked at a bronze works foundry. When little, she enjoyed doing art however she was unsure if her future career plans included art.

     She had her CNA for nine years then returned to school and took an art class, which changed her life completely. Through that course, she realized that she could make a career out of art.

     What made you decide to be an art and humanities professor?

     My students. I love my students. I love instilling in them a sense of creativity. And I can see that they create their own artistic voice and that just gives me pleasure.

     What are your goals for the future?

     To continue teaching, to be a better instructor, and of course do my own art. That’s my passion too.

     I will eventually have my own art studio on my property and hopefully a metal shop to make metal sculptures.

     What do you do during your free time?

     My husband and I love going on road trips. Any time we have free time we just get in the car and drive around the Pacific Northwest to the coast and just enjoy Washington, it’s a beautiful area.

     What would you do if you retired?

     I would focus and devote myself to art. Probably have a gallery represent me.

     What do students do that bug you the most?

     When they don’t turn in their work on time because then they fall behind on other projects and it becomes a domino effect. Once we start it goes pretty fast, it’s like a blur when the quarter ends.

     What makes your course different from the other professors that teach it?

     My passion. I get a lot of pleasure teaching and I enjoy watching my students excel.

     How do you feel about teaching at a community college instead of a university?

     I taught at WSU for a year. That’s where I knew I loved people, students and teaching.

     What I love about community college is the collective of students I get, from very young to older students.

      What do you like most about working at Pierce?

     The faculty. We have a friendly environment here and we join well together. I have a good bond with all the instructors.

     What is your favorite famous piece of art?

     I really like the sculptor David Smith’s work because he uses recycled stuff to make interesting sculpture forms.

     What do you think about when you work on your art?

     I’m so involved in my art. It’s so labor intensive that I’m just focused on what I’m doing, I’m not really thinking about anything else. And when I do art, time seems to fly. One hour will seem like 10 minutes.

Visit Sydow’s website at http://danellasydow.wordpress.com