Talk about inspired!

In 1995, Tidewater Community College came up with a revolutionary idea—to design and create the state’s first community college center devoted solely to the arts and art education. Fifteen years later, TCC’s Visual Arts Center (VAC) is still the only program of its kind in Virginia and has been recognized by the state as a regional model for arts education among colleges and universities.

The VAC is filled with the energy and vision of talented student artists who are defining and refining their skills in everything from fine arts and ceramics to photography and graphic design. Over the years, the VAC has more than kept pace with technology and the changing face of careers in the arts. Course offerings in web design and multimedia are just two examples. Whether it’s with pencils, paints, pottery or pixels, the VAC is preparing a new generation of student artists to enter the workplace or continue their studies at art schools and universities around the country.

This year, as we celebrate the VAC’s 15th anniversary, we’re also celebrating our first year under a new director. Appointed in August 2009, Christina Rupsch brings a significant resume in arts education to the VAC, including her most recent position as chair of the Visual Arts Department at Chowan University in North Carolina. “I was drawn to the VAC by its stellar reputation in this region,” Rupsch told us. “Anne Iott, the first director, set the pace by gathering top talent for faculty and this tradition continued under the tenure of Ed Gibbs who also helped guide the program as it grew to embrace emerging technologies, particularly in graphic design and photography.”

Rupsch is still amazed by the quality of the student work she’s seen since her arrival and the facility that makes it all possible. “As you can tell from the impressive work in this year’s 340 High Street, our students exhibit skills and abilities that rival those of students at four-year colleges and universities.”

We invite you to take a look—and be inspired.

Ready for a preview?

Cover

Introduction

Decorative Arts

Fine Arts

Graphics

Photography

340 High Street Magazine

Interested in getting your own copy of 340 High Street?

Magazines are available at the VAC office Monday - Thursday. Cost is $2.00.

If you are a featured artist in the magazine or if you helped work on the magazine, please go to the VAC office to receive your free copies.

This years' featured artists are:

return to the top