By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information
Got time on your hands this spring? How about putting some clay on them?
Beginning in the Spring 2015 semester, Trinity Valley Community College will offer a non-credit ceramics course. The college previously has offered ceramics courses that combined credit and non-credit students in the same class. This class is unique, said Dean of Continuing and Workforce Education Gayla Roberts, in that a portion of it will be geared toward teaching students how to potentially use their skills in a business context.
“Over the years, we’ve had a lot of people take this course simply as a connection to the arts,” Roberts said. “Now we’re adding this component that will allow students to develop a skill for a small business.”
The non-credit course will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning January 20. It will last through May. The course will be taught by longtime TVCC ceramics instructor Beverly Wallace.
“This course, and all our ceramics courses, aim to get students back in touch with their humanity, back in touch with their creative side,” Wallace said. “I deal with teaching techniques and the student brings the creativity.” Among those techniques that will be taught, Wallace said, are hand-forming (pinch), two kinds of coil and slab.
Unlike the credit course, students can take the non-credit ceramics course unlimited times. Those age 60 and over who enroll for the non-credit course will receive a 50-percent discount.
The course offering comes at a time of transition for the department, which is changing its name from “Community Services” to “Continuing and Workforce Education.” Said Associate Vice President of Workforce Education David McAnally: “Continuing and Workforce Education now offers credit and non-credit training opportunities for the communities we serve. This new name better reflects the nature of what we do.”
To enroll in the course or for information about other Continuing and Workforce Education offerings, contact TVCC’s Continuing and Workforce Education department at 903-675-6212.