A student from last year's Summer Shorts program proudly displays his artwork from a drawing class. The six-week workshop initiative is set to begin its fourth year, offering programs from the schools of Design and Communication Art to prospective students.
For the fourth straight year, Durham College will give prospective students a chance to release their inner creativity through the annual Summer Shorts programs.
Summer Shorts was established to offer mini-versions of all of the full-time programs offered by the Durham College schools of Design and Communication Arts. The workshops give prospective students a chance to experience these programs first-hand, within the labs and studios at the Oshawa campus.
"It is our mission to offer an exceptional educational experience in a state-of-the-art setting, to curious people who are interested in learning about communication through creative initiative," said Charlotte Hale, associate dean of the schools of Design and Communication Arts. "Our dedication to the ideal that creative expression is a vital factor in the development of a well-rounded student ensures that our workshops are designed to inform, inspire, challenge and encourage individual growth."
This year's classes are set to begin on July 7 and run until August 15. Each workshop is one week in length, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a new subject introduced each week.
The workshops vary in subject, with offerings such as Advertising, Drawing, Moviemaking, Painting, 3D animation and Journalism. New workshops this year will include Photojournalism and Graffiti Art. Students also have the option to choose different skill levels depending on their comfort level with a certain subject.
After three successful years of offering the Summer Shorts opportunity, the faculty has begun to notice that high school students who have previously attended the workshops, have chosen Durham College as their post-secondary homes.
"We are very proud of this, and the students indicate that their Summer Shorts experience helped them make their decision about what school and program they would apply to," said Hale.
Each class is set at a maximum of 15 students taught by full-time faculty or senior students with teaching experience, high skill levels and a commitment to providing new and exciting educational experiences for young people in a unique format.
While the workshops are primarily focused on students over the age of 13, there is no upper age limit. The programs are a great opportunity for educators to brush up on their skills using the latest technology and software available in the Durham College labs and games and animation studio.
"We have had grandmothers in our classes and we love that! Creativity is the key," said Hale.
Register early as the always-popular Animation, Games, Moviemaking, Drawing, Painting and Photography workshops fill quickly.
For more information about Summer Shorts, visit http://dca.durhamc.on.ca/summershorts; call co-ordinator Cathy Miller at ext. 2435, or e-mail catherine.miller@durhamcollege.ca.