VAC honors the best in art and design at annual awards

The Painting II assignment called for staging and photographing a person interacting with an object and applying it to a canvas. Tidewater Community College student Alison Miller knew she wanted a creation that combined the mysterious with the unique. She considered replicating her son, Kaine, playing his viola, but it didn’t translate well into a painting. On a whim, she told him to grab his PlayStation, her inspiration for Player One, Ready!, winner of the Visual Arts Center Purchase Award.

Miller’s painting was one of several recognized at the 49^th Annual Student Art & Design Exhibition at the VAC.

“When the judge described my painting during the ceremony, she commented on the details and the emotion that I hoped was captured, giving me a boost in my confidence toward my work,” said the Navy wife, who will graduate in May with associate degrees in Studio Arts and Pre-Art Therapy.

Melinda Watson’s photograph Red Pepper Flakes, winner of the President’s Award, was inspired by photographer Corinna Gissemann’s use of contrasting light,

“When I am creating my pieces, I strive to make them look live, enough that they could just be picked up and eaten,” said Watson, who graduated in December with an Associate of Applied Arts in Studio Arts with a Specialization in Photographic Media Arts. “The level of detail seen in my image was done with the use of a macro lens. I like getting lost in the tiny details of my subjects by getting up close and personal to them.”

All winners listed below:

VAC Purchase Award (Dr. Deborah M. DiCroce)

Alison Miller • Player One, Ready! • oil on canvas

President’s Award (Dr. Gregory DeCinque)

Melinda Watson • Red Pepper Flakes • photograph

Provost’s Award (Dr. Michelle Woodhouse, Portsmouth Campus)

Cynthia Jones • Drifter • engraving

Ruth Jones Judge’s Choice Award: Jessica Clampet • Childhood Encapsulated • oil on canvas

John and Karen Kise Award of Excellence for Graphic

Design (in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Mearl A. Kise): Armani Phoutasen • Battle Cry • video

Award of Excellence for Painting: Hope Drew • Tea Time • oil on canvas

Director’s Award of Excellence for Glass: Kevin Chigos-White • Blue Balance • glass

Michael R. Gluse Award of Excellence for Drawing (in memory of Barbara L. Gluse): Andrew Howald • Troubled Guy • charcoal, pastel

Ed Gibbs Award of Excellence for Photography: Monika Chuchro • Untitled • photograph

Shelley Brooks Award of Excellence for Sculpture: Suzanne Luna • Spring is in the Air • metal, PVC pipe

Darrell & Sally Craig Award of Excellence for Drawing: Cynthia Hymon • Zoe • scratchboard

The Coffee Shoppe & Chrysler Museum of Art

Award of Excellence in an Open Category: Rebecca Smith • 1200 XLC Carburetor • oil on panel

Lynne Hundley Award of Excellence for Mixed Media: Michaela Bly • Austin • mixed media

Vice President’s Award (Dr. Corey McCray): Grace Martin • Untitled • oil on panel

Provost’s Award (Dr. Michael Summers, Virginia Beach Campus): Melyssa Rolon-Hansen • Dew Drop • computer generated

Provost’s Award (Dr. James Edwards, Chesapeake Campus): Sharla Cotton • Bourdelou • clay

Provost’s Award (Dr. Emanuel Chestnut, Norfolk Campus): Andy McKay • Untitled • glass

Hartung Gallery Award for Color: Brandon Umberger • Blue City Alley • watercolor, soft pastel

Want to take better pictures? Consider new TCC career studies certificate

Whether you want to be the best photographer on your block or plan to go into business, Tidewater Community College’s new career studies certificate provides an ideal foundation.

The Career Studies Certificate in Photographic Media Arts will be introduced this fall. The 27-credit program combines photographic imaging and digital media along with technical camera skills. Students will be able to access industry-current equipment, studio facilities and computer labs at the college’s Visual Arts Center in Olde Town Portsmouth.

“Today’s budding photographers are already fairly sophisticated when it comes to the use of digital media,” said Tom Siegmund, program head. “This certificate is ideal for them and for those interested in upgrading their existing photographic skill set.”

The certificate prepares students for jobs in the photography industry, such as agency photographer, art center educator, photographer’s assistant, freelance photographer and fine art photographer.

Students interested in continuing to develop their skills will be able to apply all their credits to TCC’s Associate of Applied Arts in Studio Arts: Specialization in Photographic Media Arts.

Many of the classes that fall under the new certificate are only eight weeks in length. Evening, online and hybrid classes are available.

For information, contact Siegmund at tsiegmund@tcc.edu or 757-822-1819.