Tunxis Visual Art and Design Department

Excellent work done by Urszula Skierkowski in Pastels class.
Pastels is offered again Summer 2024 on campus.
Susan Strauss is the instructor.

Calling all alumni, prospective students, community members, and partners! Join us at the Everything Expo 2024, today, March 21, 2-7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol. Come explore programs, opportunities, and connections at CT State Tunxis. Whether you're curious about enrolling, eager to reconnect, or simply interested in what's happening in our vibrant community, we'd love to see you there! Don't miss out on this exciting event, sponsored by the Central CT Chambers of Commerce. See you soon!

Pastel Show at Breezeway Gallery opens Monday March 17 with a slideshow of over 100 pastel paintings and 14 pastels on display. Most pastel work was done in Drawing II where color was introduced. Susan Strauss will be teaching a 3-credit summer class in Pastels which will go into the topic in more detail. The daytime on campus class is listed as SPECIAL TOPICS IN ART. No Art pre-requisites required.

Figure Drawing I, a fall only class, will be offered Fall 2023 T/Th from 11am-1:45pm. The drawings below were done by Fall 2022 students Nat Nitendel and Jillian Welker. Students learn to work quickly and selectively from models. Drawing I is a pre-requisite.

The Studio Photography class is at it again! Students worked collaboratively to imitate a classic painting for their project, ,"Recreating a Classic Painting". Digital manipulation was not allowed for this assignment. Rather, the image had to be created on-site using the lighting studio. Students constructed every aspect of the scene from hair and make-up to building and painting sets and props to sewing costumes. And most importantly they designed the lighting to match that of their chosen painting. The final pieces and some behind the scenes images are now on display...

Our on-campus students are enthusiastically developing a feel for both the art and craft of oil painting this semester.

Come celebrate the achievements of our photography students this Thursday, May 5th from 5-7pm!
For more info: https://fb.me/e/1uHvAtcXA

Hooray!!! The Art Show is back!!!

"Tunxis Community College student Diego Horisberger of West Hartford has been chosen as one of eight national 2022 DREAM Scholars by Achieving the Dream (ATD). Horisberger is an arts studies student who will participate in ATD's virtual 2022 DREAM Student Scholars program"
More about Diego and his opportunity follows, all from CCSU Buzz April 2022 Issue.

“There’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with being selected as a DREAM Scholar,” said Horisberger, 20, of West Hartford, who will graduate in May 2022 with an associate in arts degree in art studies, and is the first in his family to earn a college degree. Horisberger plans to continue his studies in art with a concentration in photography at a four-year college or university, with an interest in learning more about museum curation, fine arts or teaching fine arts higher education.

“I am passionate about using art as a means to explore myself and the world around me, knowing that images showcase perspectives and experiences,” he said. “Throughout my time at Tunxis, I have really liked talking with the professors, and all of the resources both they and the college have shared with me, which helped me grow as a person.” In addition to his studies, Horisberger works in the Tunxis Welcome Center, where he helps new students find their way and a sense of belonging.

As a DREAM Scholar, Horisberger will also participate in the virtual ATD Dream conference Feb. 15-17, including sharing his story through an autobiographical poem that will be prerecorded and shared at the conference. In excerpts from the piece, he writes,

“…I am from the ever-constant worry of finances because of our working-class background

I am from vicarious hopes of upwards mobility

From parental instillment about the importance of education,

From reaching my hands out in hope of living a life better than my parents…”

Later in the poem, he reflects on Tunxis and the influence he has felt from artists and authors who depict marginalized communities and humanize different populations.

“…I have grown through library and lab access and personal relations with my professors…

Now I am at the jumping off point…

Of big hopes and plans

To use the camera as a weapon, document voices of the unheard

And use powerful images to instill change…”

“I am grateful that Diego’s voice and perspective will be heard at ATD’s conference so that together we can better understand the experiences of first-generation students, create more awareness among higher education leaders, and find sustainable solutions that enable more students like Diego to continue to thrive and be successful,” said Dr. Darryl Reome, Tunxis Campus CEO.

During the event, Horisberger and the other scholars will also meet with community college leaders, share their educational experiences, and attend sessions focused on improving student success. Additionally, each 2022 DREAM Scholar will receive a scholarship to support their educational or personal journey.

Please visit the Slideshow of figure drawings that is up in our Breezeway Gallery. There you will see 80 wonderful and varied drawings from Figure Drawing classes from 2014-2021. If you are considering taking this fall only class, M/W 12-2:40pm, this display will be especially enlightening. Shown on the left is a monochromatic wash drawing by Urszula Skierkowska, Fall 2020 class. On the right is a multiple contours pastel drawing by Jessica Franco, Fall 2014 Figure Drawing class. With thanks to MIke Zach and Jessica Somers for running the gallery.

Need some Monday Motivation!
Join Tunxis Photo Club and Jessica Somers for this chemigram workshop!
Pizza, cookies and drinks provided!

Express your passion for creativity by joining the Tunxis Art Club! The Tunxis Art Club is a place to connect with fellow students through collaborative projects, museum field trips, student art shows, community outreach, and creative discussion. The club is free and open to all students – you don’t need to be an artist to join. Leadership opportunities are available, with open officer positions! Meetings are Mondays, 2:30-4 p.m. in Room 6-224. For more information or questions, contact Carianne Garside, Tunxis advisor-- email [email protected] .

"For the inspiration I was kind of thinking about synthesizing the classical stuff I've been working on and combining them with other things I've been into, like cubism and grafitti"...... Diego Horisberger

Skills learned in the fall figure drawing class can be applied to all drawing. Here figure drawing students Ashleigh Habershi and Jeanette Franco use gel pen and wash technique for 5 minute drawings of classmates.

Ink wash drawings from Figure Drawing I, a class only offered in the fall.