Students from this year's Summer Shorts participate in a painting class. This year's six weeks of workshops are currently underway, offering programs from the School of Media, Art & Design to prospective students. There are still a few spaces available for the coming weeks.
For the fourth straight year, Durham College is giving 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 the full-time programs offered by the Durham College School of Media, Art & Design. 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 School of Media, Art & Design. "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 began on July 7 and continue 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 Drawing, Moviemaking, Painting, Photography, Video Game Development and 3D animation. New workshops this year 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.
Chase Bulbrook, a recent high school graduate, can be included in that group. Bulbrook will return in the fall as a student in the Animation - Digital Arts program and feels that he will be well-prepared.
"My grandmother saw the 3D animation course and thought I would want to take it," said Bulbrook. "I thought since I would be studying Animation in the fall that it would help get me ready for next year."
Each class is set at a maximum of 15 students taught by full-time Durham College professors 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.
Ginny Milling, an instructor in the 3D animation - Maya 1 program, is entering her third year of Animation - Digital Production studies in September and gets a lot of personal satisfaction from the Summer Shorts program.
"It's fun to get kids jazzed about something that I like to do as well," said Milling.
Many spots are still available for the remainder of the workshops. To register or for more information, visit http://dca.durhamc.on.ca/summershorts, call co-ordinator Cathy Miller at ext. 2434, or e-mail catherine.miller@durhamcollege.ca.