Connecting with a Career in Commercial Art

This month, Commercial Art Seniors traveled to Slippery Rock University to tour the Art Department. Students were able to visit the various art studios including painting, ceramics, sculpture, fibers, metalsmithing, printmaking, photography, digital media, drawing and graphic design.

Students also got to tour both the SGA Student Art Gallery which featured a solo exhibition by SRU senior Alina Gath and the Martha Gault Art Gallery which featured a solo exhibition by photography and drawing professor Katherine Mickle. LCCTC seniors had the opportunity to talk with both artists and to gain insight into what it takes for an artist to pull off the challenges of creating a cohesive body of work for an exhibition.

Students were also able to learn about the demands of the art industries and the various degrees offered by SRU.

CA senior Misty Jones says, "I thought it was really cool to see that we would learn anatomy from drawing live models that is a skill I am currently working on building"

Grason Corbin, CA senior truly appreciated the cross-curricular connection, as well. “I really enjoyed how her science classes influenced her art work" he states.

Corbin continues, "I really enjoyed having the opportunity to discuss secondary art programs with actual students — especially seeing Alina's show. Her paintings are wonderful!”

Being able to visit the university helped give them a taste of the fine arts that exist, and it’s right in our own back yard! Perhaps we’ll see Grayson Corbin pursuing his post-secondary education at a place like SRU! "Mr. DeRosa and LCCTC is always stressing the importance of planning our next step after graduation,” Corbin says. “It was really helpful to me to see first hand what a BFA candidate is expected to do."