CBU art students take learning to the community

 

Riverside, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2016)—With the noise of elementary school-age kids playing in the background and with an occasional ball or two bouncing near them, California Baptist University art students continued with their task at hand—painting a mural in the school’s playground.

Ten students in ART 300, Advanced Art, are creating a mural at Tomas Rivera Elementary in Riverside.

The project gives the students painting experience plus exposure to the community, said Kristi Lippire, assistant professor of visual art.

“They get to be part of the whole process,” Lippire said. “It’s one thing to be handed a design and do it, but from concept to finished product, it’s all them.”

Creighton Goodman, assistant professor of aviation flight and a parent who has children attending the school, asked Lippire if art students could create a mural. After getting the school district’s approval, the students began painting this semester.

The mural is the backdrop of a handball court. The images feature an adventure theme, which include an astronaut, a spaceship, a plane, a pirate ship, a mermaid and a sunken treasure. Each student is in charge of a section, so one of their challenges is to ensure the sections flow together, Lippire said. 

The students also are busy building a sculpture for Riverside’s Festival of Lights, which is scheduled to be on display Nov. 25 - Jan. 7 outside the Riverside Art Museum (RAM).

This is the second year the class is creating a sculpture for RAM. Students are making an abstract art piece representing ice and light using wood, metal, plexiglass and lights.

The project gives them real-world experience, Lippire said. When determining what to create and how, students needed to talk about longevity, structure and mass appeal.

“It’s one thing to have an idea, it’s another thing to actually try to execute it,” Lippire said. “It’s an opportunity to expand their concepts and then the practical side of actually executing that concept.”

Lauren Sankey, a visual arts junior, said it has been fun to work on projects for the community. For the mural, she had to learn how to mix paint, for the sculpture, she learned how to drill and sand.

“It’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and do things you’re not used to,” Sankey said. “I think it’s making me a more well-rounded artist.”