Fine Arts
Published or Revised October 18, 2024
The Fine Arts Division of Paris Junior College is known throughout the region for its excellent foundation programs in the visual and performing arts.
Each department — Art, Drama,and Music — offers one-on-one advisement with the student in selecting an appropriate sequence of courses towards an associate's degree, transfer to an upper-level degree and for life enrichment. All of the instructors are artists in their own right with master's level degrees who bring real world concepts, experiences and arts education to their students.
All PJC Fine Arts departments provide numerous scholarships, travel experiences, and performance and exhibition opportunities for the students from Paris to Austin and beyond. Many PJC Fine Arts students have gone on to be accomplished professionals as performance and studio artists; educators at all levels; and technical designers.
Paris Junior College Fine Arts Division also serves as a cultural center promoting artistic, dramatic, and musical activities for the campus and the community.
Art at PJC
The Art Department of PJC is a recognized foundation program for visual arts students planning to transfer to an upper level program, attain an associate degree or for life enrichment.
The classes are taught by master's level instructors who are artists and/or production professionals in their respective studio areas: art metals, ceramics, digital art, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture. Along with multiple levels in these studio areas, art history and art appreciation round out a solid foundation in problem solving, critical evaluation and technical and visual skills necessary in developing self confidence and creative expression.
Student exhibitions and competitions provide opportunities for students to test and display their work and to reach beyond the campus with the expertise of visiting guest artists' workshops, exhibitions, and critiques.
Up-to-date equipment and specialized facilities provide an intimate and relaxed environment that includes a fully equipped computer lab that is used for research and digital production in many of the classes: a large, fully equipped classroom and multi-kiln courtyard for ceramics; an art metals, 3-D design and sculpture workshop; a darkroom for processing and printing traditional film; a portrait studio and a computer lab for digital photography. Two-dimensional design, drawing and painting studio classrooms are complimented with a lecture room and gallery space.
Classes in the PJC Art Department are designed with individual competencies and goals in mind through small classes and attentive instructors.
For more information, email Lena Spencer at lspencer@parisjc.edu.
Theater at PJC
Paris Junior College has established a foundation of excellence that has fostered educational growth and creativity in a personal environment. We take great pride in our academic standards, and nowhere is that more evident than in our award-winning Drama Department.
Drama at PJC is synonymous with quality among community colleges in Texas, and the tradition continues through our productions and community outreach that build upon its success.
For more information, email William Walker at wwalker@parisjc.edu or download the program brochure (PDF).
Music at PJC
Music is omnipresent in our culture today, enriching our lives and uniting us through shared experiences. Educators have realized the value of fine arts instruction in the lives of students through the discipline and thinking skills required, as well as the emotional and social benefits enjoyed. Thus, today the field of music offers many career opportunities for the modern student as performer, teacher, arts administrator or entrepreneur.
Academic courses, individual applied instruction and ensemble courses offered through Paris Junior College fulfill field-of-study requirements set forth by the Texas Coordinating Board and Texas Association of Music Schools for music education and performance degrees. The general student also can benefit from these courses, fulfilling general education arts requirements for the Associate and Bachelor of Music degrees.
As a music student at Paris Junior College you will be working with an accomplished faculty of artists and scholars who are committed to musical excellence in both the performance medium and in the music classroom. Our students develop their musical skills in these areas while preparing to join the growing network of PJC Alumni in the professional and educational world of music.
The PJC Music department offers performances from our own talented students, fulfilling our institutional goal of providing cultural opportunities to the citizens of Paris and its surrounding communities. We invite you to take advantage of all the offerings of our department and enjoy music with us.
For more information, email Dr. Michael Holderer at mholderer@parisjc.edu or music@parisjc.edu or download the program brochure (PDF).