Teaching at Nassau Community
Nassau is a marvelous institution for the teaching profession, because of the interesting cultural diversity and ages of the student body, my stimulating colleagues in the Art Depart who are dedicated to their role as teacher/artists, and because of the administration’s steady support of the arts. In my long career at NCC, there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t looked forward to going to the campus. When you have a profession you love, you never work a day in your life.
John assists student regarding glaze mixing.
Long time friend and fellow faculty member, Bob Carter, is a valued member of the Art Department He is a virtuoso with a pencil and paint brush in creating the human figure, whether as a fine artist, or as a cartoonist. He is probably the most prolific practicing artist on our staff and a role model for students on many levels.
(see his website at http://www.robertcarterstudio.com )
Art Faculty member, Mena Romano is a master at giving critiques of student work, as illustrated in this photo. Students place their work on the table and are invited to talk about their own work , while the professor facilitates commentary by others as well as giving her own insights.
Morris has been a “regular” among the senior auditor students in our program. He is particularly knowledgeable in use of paper clay and raku firing. In addition, he signs up for a variety of workshops sponsored by area arts organizations in order to hone his craft. He is an inspiration to others for his curiosity and interest in reinventing himself.
A sculpture student digging out the wet clay core of a head, preparing it for firing in the kiln. The finished glazed head is above.
Raku technique of firing pottery and sculpture is one of several firing techniques used in the clay program at Nassau Community.
Puneeta pulls a translucent hot pot from the raku kiln, walking a short distance to place it in the wood chip pit.
Sculpture student, Christine, gets plastered . . in order to make a mold of her face. She in turn used the mold to make clay multiples of her facial image that will eventually become a smaller part of a larger sculpture.
Lou wins award of excellence in Firehouse Gallery student show. He carved the image of an aviator from a block of salt, normally used for a “salt-lick” for cows and horses.
Artist/professor. Jack Fink, demonstrates the sequential stages of forming a sculpture. Last stage is shown here on how to paint a wood background and fast-dry the paint with a hot blow-drier.
Jack talks with long time student, Larry Hoffstein, while Helen is working on her coil construction. “Seniors”, age 62 and over may audit classes at Nassau Community. These individuals frequently “set the pace” for the younger ones.
Andrea is so skilled she can lay-up coils without even looking, Domonique starts slow, but when she tightens up her sweat band ... look out, for she is preparing for a serious, creative workout. (Fall 2007)
Creativity was bursting at Station #1 : Rashanda, Arda, Ashley, Cindy and Lena. Oh yeah . . I could have issued an award for furious and fast conversation here: talking 60 mph in a 30 mph zone! (Fall 2007)
Nicole seems to be kneeling at the “altar” of her coil construction, while Rena and MIke are lost in the inner zone of their own creative work. Note Sid,
Helen and Adrienne on the potters wheel in back.
See Nicole’s penguin below. (Fall 2007)
