Frederick Community College (FCC) is gearing up for an exciting spring semester as it welcomes a talented group of new art faculty who bring unique perspectives, skills, and creativity to campus. They're introducing a lineup of new classes that provide opportunities for art enthusiasts to expand their knowledge and skills.
Here are some new faculty and course highlights:
Professor Ivy Chevers
What do you enjoy most about teaching at FCC?
I enjoy the students I teach and the people I work with at FCC the most.
What do you enjoy most about teaching in your discipline?
Seeing students make connections between the past and the present and how they become aware of the power of images in their everyday lives.
What course are you teaching and what is unique about it?
The new course I will be teaching is The History of Art: African American Art History. It is unique because it will look at issues of representation and examine works of art that are not typically included in other art history courses.
Adjunct Professor Jordan Cannon
What do you enjoy most about teaching at FCC?
The students at FCC are usually at a time in their life when they are ready to try college for the first time, maybe they are ready for a second attempt, or in a time of transition. I love teaching first and second-generation college students because I was one myself, and I understand the challenge and the excitement that comes with pursuing a degree, and the self-doubt and self-worth that can come from learning to navigate each struggle and success.
What do you enjoy most about teaching in your discipline?
Art has a beautiful balance of tradition and innovation, and I find that is what keeps it consistently exciting.
What course are you teaching and what is unique about it?
I am currently teaching Introduction to the Creative Arts and Foundations to Studio I. Intro to the Creative Arts offers a first look at the visual arts and art appreciation. It introduces students to the conversation of art as they gain an understanding of art terms within an art historical context, and critical thinking then allows them to learn and understand how to look at and speak about art. What is unique about this course specifically to FCC, is it invites theatre, dance, music, and literature into the conversation. This is a great way to not only make connections from visual art to that of the performing arts and literature, but it establishes links between these mediums throughout time and into today’s culture; it creates a course that enriches the experience and connections/conversations made between students.
The Foundations to Studio course is a required course no matter where students will study art. It provides an understanding of two-dimensional elements and principles of design, which prepares students to make intentional decisions in terms of creating a strong composition and utilizing these tools to even more powerfully convey their message to their audience. The strength of this course is not necessarily what makes it “unique,” but what makes it vital for preparing students to study art and design at FCC, in their careers, in their continuing education, while also being taught to critically understand the media that surrounds them on a daily basis and the art they are inspired to make.
Adjunct Professor Sarah Hempel Irani
What do you enjoy most about teaching at FCC?
I am genuinely impressed by the dynamism of our faculty, as well as the high level of artwork produced by our students. FCC is an inclusive place where everyone belongs.
What course are you teaching and what is unique about it?
I will be teaching Sculpture this spring. We will be sculpting human figures in clay, which has not been taught in many years. It is exciting to offer a new course that combines traditional methods with my energetic and vibrant approach.
What do you enjoy most about teaching in your discipline?
I am fascinated by the intersection of art and science when it comes to modeling a figure in clay. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world where instant gratification often prevails, the ability to slow down and spend time observing is a rare and valuable skill. When it comes to sculpting a figure, we not only observe its lines and curves but also delve into the underlying structural anatomy. This exercise, although specific to sculpture, offers a broader perspective on how we can approach life: take notice and be curious.
Adjunct Professor Georgia Geisser
What do you enjoy most about teaching at FCC?
I love working with my colleagues in the Art Department and working with a varied population of students.
What course are you teaching and what is unique about it?
The new course I'm teaching is Jewelry Design ARTT112. It is a course designed to teach people metalsmithing as it relates to jewelry. Students get the opportunity to create jewelry from copper, brass, and silver, and learn many different techniques of working in metal.
What do you enjoy most about teaching in your discipline?
I enjoy overseeing the learning process of jewelry making. Students are always amazed at the amount they have learned by the end of the class and are so proud of the jewelry they have produced.
Adjunct Professor LaVerne Miers-Bond
What do you enjoy most about teaching at FCC?
I love the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere here at FCC.
What course are you teaching and what is unique about it?
I am teaching Foundations of Art. I think what is unique about it is that there is the opportunity to try many different approaches to making art, so students might find that even if they don't see themselves as "artists" they can find media and techniques that they excel in using.
What do you enjoy most about teaching in your discipline?
Art is my passion, so sharing the act of making art with others and watching them grow in skill and expression is very rewarding to me.
Registration is open for spring, and classes fill up quickly. Visit
frederick.edu/realtimeschedule.