Our comprehensive Art Program offers several areas of concentration: art history, ceramics, computer graphics, drawing, design, sculpture, acrylic painting, oil painting, and photography. The program is designed to include pre-professional and professional courses, personal enrichment in specific art areas, and classes for students who plan an art-related career.
Art courses help students develop a capacity for visual analysis and the ability to solve problems in new and creative ways.
MJC has a painting studio, ceramics and sculpture studio on our east campus, as well as the MJC Art Gallery. On our west campus we host our photography studio and dark room. For information and tours please reach out to (209) 575-6081.
The comprehensive MJC Art Program offers several areas of concentration: art history, ceramics, computer graphics, drawing, design, sculpture, water color painting, oil painting, museum studies, and photography. The program is designed to include preprofessional and professional courses, personal enrichment in specific art areas, and classes for students who plan an art-related career. Art courses help students develop a capacity for visual analysis and the ability to solve problems in new and creative ways.
The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Art History or other related subjects (Humanities, History, Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies etc.) at a CSU campus. Coursework will provide students with the study and critical analysis of great works of human expression and imagination will allow students to identify the role of the visual arts in traditional and contemporary culture, and further prepare them for the meaningful interpretation of artworks. The Associate in Arts in Arts History for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Photography is both an artistic and a technical vocation. This program is designed to develop the student’s aesthetic and technical abilities by working with design, composition, lighting, various types of image content, photographic processes, image critique, and presentation techniques.
Photography is both an artistic and a technical vocation. This program is designed to develop the student’s aesthetic and technical abilities by working with design, composition, lighting, various types of image content, photographic processes and equipment, image critique, and presentation techniques. The student completing this certificate will be prepared for employment opportunities in a variety of photographic fields and gain insight into how to build a career as a professional, freelance photographer.
The Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer Degree focuses on the theory and practice of visual arts skills based on a foundation of both traditional and contemporary practices, with curriculum geared toward transfer to a CSU. This program will provide students with an alignment of courses required for transfer and a cohesive group of courses in the area of Studio Arts. Coursework will provide students with a variety of two- and three-dimensional media in which to develop their capacity to solve problems in new and creative ways. The study and critical analysis of great works of human expression and imagination will allow students to identify the role of the visual arts in traditional and contemporary culture, and further prepare them for meaningful participation in society as visual artists. The Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
The Modesto Junior College Art Gallery is an educational resource of the MJC Art Department,
serving Modesto and surrounding communities by showcasing a diverse selection of art
exhibitions. The Art Gallery is committed to celebrating art and culture by featuring
students’ artistic accomplishments, faculty’s ongoing creative research, as well as
solo and group exhibitions by artists working in the state of California and beyond.
Since 1963 students have been able to gain up-close experience with Drawing, Painting,
Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography and Mixed Media Art. MJC students and community
members are invited to engage in conversations with presenting artists during regularly
scheduled receptions and artist talks. These events provide excellent opportunities
to learn not only how art is made, but what motivates artists to create inspiring
new work – a valuable element of an aspiring artist’s education.
The MJC Art Gallery hosts eight shows a season including our annual Dia De Los Muertos
Art Competition each October as well as the Celebration of the Humanities every spring.
The gallery is operated through the efforts of the MJC Visual Arts Club, student workers
and volunteers under the leadership of Gallery Director, Chelsea Gilmore. For information
about how you can contribute to the success of the MJC Art Gallery, please contact
our office at (209) 575-6081.
If you are interested in volunteering or making a tax deductible donation to the MJC Art Gallery or if you're an artist interested in displaying your work, please contact Chelsea Gilmore at 209.575.6097 or you may email her at gilmorec@mjc.edu or modestojuniorcollegeartgallery@gmail.com
