Art Program

three art students painting and taking a photo

Wave border image

Welcome

Del Mar College is one of the few colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Our studio classrooms are some of the best-equipped in the state and nation.

With outstanding professors, facilities, and programs, Del Mar's Art Program empowers students pursuing a degree, veterans looking for occupational opportunities, and CE students seeking new knowledge.

See Our Degree Page for Curriculum Details

I feel like I was more than prepared with my foundation courses to continue with my studies at the upper levels. -Nora Verdin, local artist & retired teacher

Art Faculty & Facilities

Del Mar Art Faculty are experts in their field. They are professional working artists as well as instructors. Our facilities are top-notch, with dedicated classrooms for each discipline.

  • Full Time Faculty

    Kerstin Dale

    Kerstin Dale earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona and a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kerstin’s current work is based on her concern for the ecological changes in the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, versus the population growth of the desert southwest. Water—its absence or presence, its memory—is the prominent feature in her artwork. She aims to elevate the role of water by using her art practice to highlight the utterly essential nature of water, pay homage to the gift of water, and mourn its loss. Her exhibition record includes exhibitions at Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson Art Museum, and Prescott College Art Gallery. Her artwork is included in multiple public and private collections. 

    FA 229
    (361) 698-1506
    kdale@delmar.edu

    WEBSITE kerstinejonesdale.com


    Nate Ditzler

    Nate Ditzler grew up on the island of O´ahu, Hawaii´i. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii´i at Manoa. In 2016 he completed a Master of Fine Arts at West Virginia University. His sculptures are featured in multiple public and private collections. He has exhibited his work in galleries, juried exhibitions, and group shows nationally and internationally. Nate Ditzler continues to develop art that explores nuances of the human condition, while constantly expanding on his material investigations and means of fabrication. 

    FA 127
    (361) 698-1504
    nditzler@delmar.edu

    WEBSITE Nateditzler.com


    Gerardo J Cobarruvias

    Gerardo J Cobarruvias was born in Laredo, Texas, but grew up in Corpus Christi where he attended DMC and TAMU-CC. He has been employed at DMC since 1985. He has held various positions since - photographer, graphic designer, media specialist. He officially joined the art faculty in 2004. He teaches painting, watercolor, printmaking, and graphic design. Printmaking and oil painting are his preferred media, but he also enjoys creating in watercolor and graphite.

    FA 142
    (361) 698-1501
    gcobarr@delmar.edu

    Instagram @blackjadestudio


    Amorette V. Garza-Morales

    Amorette V. Garza-Morales earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Amorette is a full time Professor of Art at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, her hometown. Her work is included in the collections of Cheech Marin (The Cheech, Riverside, California), Michael Manjarris, Paulette and Max Kluge and The Art Museum of South Texas.

    ARTIST STATEMENT

    My work ranges in media from the traditional (wood, metal) to more temporal such as paper, candy and gum. The materials are conducive to the content of the work and reflect my personal experiences and memories that are influenced by my background, cultural heritage (South Texas) and religion, specifically Catholic imagery, and iconography. Altering discarded materials and objects is a recurring theme, to “re” create – to take these existing objects and manipulate them so they can be seen in a new light.

    Most recently and currently, I’ve been working with found object figurines – people and animals - which I alter by painting/drawing their “respective” skeletons and adding additional elements. I call these found object manipulations, “tchotchkes,” which is a Yiddish term for trinkets. The concept of Dia de los Muertos is most influential in this series of work.

    FA 126
    (361) 698-1217
    agarza@delmar.edu

    WEBSITE AMORETTEVGARZAMORALES.COMINSTAGRAM @amorettetx

     

  • Adjunct Faculty

    2024 Faculty List Coming Soon

  • Facilities

    Printmaking Studio

    printmaking room

    lithograph stones and press

    Painting Studio

    Painting room

     

    Drawing Studio

    drawing studio

     

    Design Studio

    paper cutter and design projects

     

    Digital Lab

    mac computers in the digital lab

    Photography

    enlargers

    dark room equipment

     

For me, Del Mar really gave me a lot of confidence in myself as a student and I excelled. The teachers were passionate ,and I really gave it my all in my classes. -Audrianna Gonzalez, local artist & educator

Areas of Study

The Studio Art program offers classes in the following disciplines:

  • Photography

    students in a photo darkroom

    Our photography program teaches the latest in photographic technology. Students have three studios and one darkroom in which to learn. Students are taught to understand Photography as a means of visual expression and communication in the Digital Age. Students learn digital and manual camera operation, compositional photographic techniques, photographic vocabulary, computer editing, digital printing, film exposure, film processing, darkroom printing, and finishing techniques. Relevant historical and contemporary photographers will be covered to encourage students to practice Photography to develop a personal vision.

    DSLR cameras are available for checkout. All photography students learn and have free access to Adobe CC Lightroom/ Photoshop.

    PHOTOGRAPHY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

     

    Black and White Darkroom

    Enlargers
    Film Processing
    Print Processing
    SLR Film cameras for checkout
    All chemistry is provided

    Digital Photography Studio

    27-inch IMacs
    Large format Epson printers
    Epson SC P800
    Epson SC 7000
    Epson Perfection V 800 Photo
    Canon Rebel DSLR for student checkout

    Lighting Studio

    Framing Studio

    Fletcher 3000
    Glass cutter
    Plexiglas cutter
    Logan Graphic Mat Board cutter

  • Printmaking

    student creating a print block
    Printmaking is the art of creating work by transferring an image from one surface to another. Our students work in a fully furnished printmaking studio.

    Printmaking studio

    4 large presses
    2 litho presses
    2 etching presses
    Spacious, well-ventilated

  • Art History

    Students looking at art in a gallery

    Art History students learn the history of major art movements. They learn how to evaluate art and practice by writing about both historical and contemporary works.

  • Ceramics

    art-pottery2.jpg

    Ceramic students learn a wide variety of techniques, including basic building, throwing, and other techniques as it relates to the design and production of ceramic sculpture and pottery.

    CERAMICS FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

    Ceramic wheels
    Handbuilding area
    Electric and gas kilns
    Raku kiln
    Soda salt kiln
    Glazing and clay mixing studio

  • Drawing

    student drawing with charcoal

    In drawing classes, students are taught the elements of art: line, shape, texture, form, space, color and value. They learn from still lifes and self portraits. Drawing skills are the foundation for every career in the arts as well as careers in many STEM disciplines.

  • Sculpture

    student posing with a sculpture he made

    Our sculpture program teaches 3D creation in wood, metal, and mixed media.

    SCULPTURE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

     

    Wood Shop

    Jet 18″ bandsaw
    Delta 10” Radial arm saw
    Delta scroll saw
    Powermatic 15″ standing drill press
    Jet horizontal/vertical edge belt sander
    Jet oscillation spindle sander
    Jet 20” standing drill press
    Outdoor 110VAC, 220VAC and pneumatic connections

    Metal Fabrication

    Dewalt Portable 14″ chop saw
    Tennsmith 5′ squaring shear
    Lincoln Power MIG 140 C welder
    Miller 250 AC/DC stick welder
    Oxy/acetylene manifold system
    Miller Spectrum 625 X-treme Plasma Cutter
    Johnson Gas Forge, anvil
    Econoline Dry Blast Cabinet
    Dayton air compressor

    Foundry

    McEnglevan B-301 metal melting furnace w/#30 crucible
    Ceramic shell system including: Saunders turntable mixer and fluidized bed
    Saunders gas wax burnout kiln

     

     

  • Painting

    instructor and a painting student

    In painting classes, students are taught alla prima painting techniques and color theory. They learn from still lifes and self portraits. 

  • Digital Media/Graphic Design

    student working on a computer

    Students learn Adobe CC and learn the principles of design: emphasis, alignment and balance, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement, and white space.

    In the modern office environment, design skills are an advantage across all professions.

     

    GRAPHIC DESIGN FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

    27-inch IMacs
    Large format Epson printers
    Epson scanner
    Epson SC P800
    Epson SC 7000

     

    COMPUTER SOFTWARE

    Adobe Creative Suite, including

    • Photoshop
    • Illustrator
    • Lightroom

Scholarships

Del Mar College awards over $10k in Art scholarships annually.

NEW STUDENTS

Five scholarships of $1,500 are awarded to incoming Freshman enrolling as Art Majors. This scholarship is used to fun a full-time course load (12 credit hours). It will be awarded on the basis of a portfolio. Selected award recipients must complete the Del Mar College admission application process, enroll as an Art Major, be advised by Art Faculty, and register for at least two class in Fall 2024. The deadline is April 26, 2024.

RETURNING STUDENTS

The 'David Nuss & Sarah Martin-Nuss Scholarship' will provide one Studio Arts or Art student a $2,500 scholarship beginning 2024-2025 academic year. The DMC Foundation scholarship application opens each year from February 1 - April 30.

Cain Gallery

 

Cain Gallery is a gallery on Del Mar College’s Heritage Campus. Our goal is to encourage appreciation and understanding of art and its role in society through direct engagement with original works of art.

Cain Gallery hosts two exhibitions a year, including the prestigious National Drawing & Small Sculpture Show in the Spring

 

 


Visit Gallery webpage

National Drawing & Small Sculpture

Now in its 58th year, the Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show attracts works by contemporary artists across the country and is judged by a guest juror of national stature. Resulting Purchase Awards have built an impressive Permanent Collection at Del Mar College.

The exhibition is open to all* U.S. artists. Only work created in the last three years can be entered. Previously exhibited works in the Annual Show will not be eligible. Each artist may submit three works.  All accepted artwork can be considered for purchase.

*Full-time Del Mar Art faculty members are excluded.

About the Show

SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM

A gift to Del Mar Art is a gift to our students and our community. 

GIVE.DELMAR.EDU/ART

Stay in Touch

Instagram
@CainGalleryDMC
@DelMarCollegeArt

Facebook
/ART4DMC

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Contact Us

Office: (361) 698-1216
Email: art@delmar.edu

The Fine Arts Building is located at the corner of Ayers and Tompkins. 

GOOGLE MAPS.