At South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), the quest for learning and personal growth is individual to each student. In addition to high school, pre-college and college degree options, there are also opportunities for students seeking out noncredit Corporate & Continuing Education (CCE) courses for recreation, personal enrichment and professional development.
CCE student David Drummond has participated in several in-person and online art courses taught by CCE Instructor Jill Sattler, including classes for watercolor and acrylic painting. Through these noncredit art courses at SPSCC, Drummond has learned specialized techniques, including how to mix, blend and dilute paints, and how to use water to help disperse color throughout a painting.
“Jill’s art classes are fun,” says Drummond. “Even though you don’t know what you are doing sometimes and mess up, she helps you along so you can recover and finish the painting. She is never critical of what we end up with and praises us for our effort no matter what. She knows her stuff and is an excellent artist in her own right. Jill is by far the best art instructor I have had and I have taken many art classes over the years.”
After participating in virtual noncredit art courses at SPSCC, Drummond says the remote format offers multiple benefits, including a closer view of the instruction and accessibility for a wider array of students. “Online, you have better visibility of what the instructor is teaching and painting than in the classroom,” says Drummond. The online version works well for me because when the class is over, its over! I don’t have to drive home. That’s huge for me because I am senior citizen and don’t like driving at night.”
Photo courtesy: Jill Sattler
Open to the community, SPSCC’s noncredit art courses offer the chance to learn a new artistic medium while in a supportive environment. As an instructor for SPSCC’s noncredit art courses, Sattler is a third-generation artist, specializing in watercolor painting and Celtic knotwork. After graduating with a masters in fine arts degree in 2014, Sattler wanted to share her love for art with others by becoming a teacher and cultivating a community with a classroom setting.
“I love teaching and I love sharing my knowledge of what I do,” explains Sattler. “But my very most important thing is I love seeing what my students create.”
Geared toward community members of any age or education level, SPSCC’s noncredit art courses are open to those looking to develop a new skill or hobby. Sattler says that she has taught teenagers, adults and senior citizens through noncredit art courses at SPSCC.
Vicki Johnson, a longtime art student, has participated in Sattler’s painting courses at SPSCC for three years. After attending a range of courses, Johnson says she enjoys Sattler’s teaching style, including how each step of a project is clearly demonstrated, while also allowing room for each student’s creative flair. “My favorite quote from Jill is ‘you do you,’” explains Johnson. “Jill makes me feel like I can paint anything, and I always learn something new with each lesson. Another unexpected benefit for me was meeting other artists that share the same joy. I can’t wait to learn more and see what she has planned for us next.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of SPSCC’s noncredit art courses have been moved to remote settings, including self-paced practice and live instruction on Zoom. For the upcoming winter quarter, there will be several painting, drawing and pastel classes available in multiple socially-distanced formats.
Through their distance learning course, Book Making, each student will receive a kit containing supplies, written instructions and pre-recorded video tutorials, created by Sattler, to aid the student in creating their own decorated journal or notebook. This self-paced course is ideal for students seeking a creative outlet, while also wanting to learn on a flexible schedule.
Following strict social-distancing guidelines, Soft Pastel Techniques will be offered in person throughout winter quarter. Masks will be required for the duration of the classes and students will be properly spaced out in the classroom. Led by Instructor, Gay Hoffman, Soft Pastel Techniques will introduce students to the soft pastel medium, paying attention to the pastel’s unique attributes and color theory, to create photo-realistic images.
Through live instruction on Zoom, online courses include Acrylic Painting, Watercolor Painting and Drawing Celtic Design, all taught by Sattler. Acrylic Painting is geared toward beginner or intermediate students, with sessions tailored to each classes’ skill levels and interests. Ideal for beginning painters, Watercolor Painting offers students an introductory lesson in watercolor art, while also completing outside the box projects, like cards and 3D figures in addition to traditional paintings. A highlight for Sattler, Drawing Celtic Knotwork explores reflective art practices and the creation of interlaced Celtic knots, including geometry, use of color and pattern repetition.
Over the past several years, Pennie Orwoll has become a regular student in Sattler’s art courses at SPSCC. While in class, Orwoll enjoys the entertaining and relaxed atmosphere, including Sattler’s ability to teach both beginning and experienced painters throughout the session. “I have learned so much,” says Orwoll. “Color theory, blending, use of mediums, backgrounds, landscapes, water subjects, pet portraits, still life, pouring, Impressionism, chiascurro, mixed media, abstract painting, and I am continuing to learn more with each class. Through Jill, I have found acrylic painting a peaceful creative outlet away from the frenetic pace of life.”
To learn more about Corporate & Continuing Education, or to register for a noncredit art class, visit the South Puget Sound Community College website.
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