Solano College ARTS

“My artwork reflects my unique perspective and the journey in life. From vibrant abstract compositions to intricately detailed portraits, my art offer a glimpse into the colorful world of my imagination. I aspire to be an animator and tell my stories through animation.

As someone on the autism spectrum, I did not begin speaking until the age of 5. However, during that time, I found a way to communicate through my art. My attention to detail, even at the age of 4, was something my mother always praised, and it was through my creativity and art that I was able to express myself and share my thoughts and feelings.

I am proud to be a part of the artists that created art for the just-concluded June 23, “Brush Strokes for the Earth” Exhibition at the Vallejo Center for the Arts. The aim of the project was to shed light on critical environmental issues and spark conversations about sustainability and social justice. I created several pieces that serves as a visual representation of the profound impact of climate change.

At Solano College Arts, I appreciate the supportive environment, access to experienced faculty, and opportunities to showcase my work.

I’ve faced several challenges in gaining confidence in my creative abilities. Being on the autism spectrum, I’ve had difficulty with social interactions and communication, which sometimes made it hard to share my art and connect with others in my field. However, I’ve found solace in art because it allows me to express myself in ways that words can’t. It took time, but I’ve learned to use these challenges as strengths. The support from mentors and peers at Solano College has been invaluable in building my confidence and helping me navigate the artistic world.”

Calling all students! New billboard challenge in Vallejo inspired by the Oakland challenge. Submissions opened on July 7, due by September 7!

Learn more more at !

“Hi, my name is Lilian Mendez. I’m originally from Vallejo, CA and currently reside in Fairfield with my family. I love to do all things art related, and in the past couple years I’ve gained a passion for trying any new medium that I can. My current obsession is definitely ceramics; I’m a beginner but I’ve had so much fun learning the past few months.

I’ve done art for as long as I can remember, and drawing was always my biggest hobby growing up. I learned on my own but also through YouTube, I would look up tutorials and try my best to imitate what I saw. My dad was also an inspiration for me to start being creative as well, I always saw him working on new projects of all sorts and I knew I wanted to do that too.

One of my proudest projects would have to be my Inspire Oakland billboard design that I did for .

I made it to the top 20 out of over 400+ submissions, and considering that I am still a beginner in graphic design, that gave me a lot of confidence to begin putting myself out there and sharing my work with others.

I’m super super grateful for the opportunity that Bridgegood and my professors here at Solano have given me to enroll in that challenge.

My favorite thing is the community that is built within the art classes here at Solano. I’ve met so many great people and made friends in all of the classes I’ve taken. The professors in the art department are also great, Marc Pandone who was my drawing teacher for two semesters really pushed me out of my comfort zone and inspired me to grow as a person as well as an artist. Special thank you to Marc!!

When I first started college, I was not confident in my art at all despite having done it for my entire life. I worried a lot about comparing myself to others and feeling like my work wasn’t good enough. I’ve had to overcome that by changing my mindset, and understanding that I’m always learning and figuring out ways to improve, and just kind of forcing myself to not be so judgmental of the things I create.”

“My name is Herman Billingsley Jr. I’m a professional choreographer and Co-director of a dance company called 1Up Crew, based out of Oakland California. I’ve been dancing since I was 15 years old, and dance has been the primary art form I’ve practiced ever since. But traditional art was my first passion way before I started dancing. So, around the time of Covid, I started getting back into creating art, from watching tutorials on YouTube to Skillshare, to Patreon. During that time, I got interested in graphic design after discovering a certain artist online who inspired me to put myself through school, and that’s what brought me to Solano again. I went to Solano way back to get my general ed to transfer to Sacramento State. But that’s a story for another time.

I can’t lie, one of the most memorable experiences I had at Solano was the recent Inspire Oakland challenge we did in Graphic Design 2, hosted by the non-profit organization called Bridgegood. It took me into the world of graphic design on a more professional level, something I didn’t think I would experience until years later. It was a cool experience overall.

Now that I’ve graduated, I’m currently searching for a new job and preparing for my team’s upcoming competition in San Diego this June.

As far as advice, one thing I’d like to leave for current students to marinate on is this: always receive criticism constructively, and never take it as a personal attack. Also, ask questions - the more you ask, the more you’ll learn.”

“I started my job search in August 2023 after completing the summer UX design apprenticeship with Bridgegood, a nonprofit that helps emerging creatives kickstart their journey into design by offering courses in UX design and teaching essential workplace skills. Through Bridgegood, I was able to visit Tesla headquarters, as well as speak at tech companies like Google and Btrax.

The job search journey was long and filled with a lot of rejections and self-doubt. One day, I stumbled upon a job posting earlier this year by Solano College Arts on social media for a Communication and Outreach position at the Children’s Network of Solano County. Seeing that the organization and position aligned with values, talents, and skills, I applied and the rest is history.

Although my title isn’t technically ‘designer,’ I find myself applying a lot of skills from UX design in my work. This reminded me of something I learned from Bridgegood: not to be fixated on the job title, but to be more aware of my skills. In addition, I get this incredible feeling of fulfillment, knowing that I am supporting a nonprofit that benefits children in the community where I grew up. I grew up incredibly privileged, and it feels good to be able to give back, knowing that there are other children in the county who may not have had as easy a life as I did.”

- Izebella Reyes, Solano Communuty College alumni, Top 20 designer in the 2023 Bridgegood Inspire Oakland Challenge

This semester, our Advanced Digital Illustration class worked on a poster illlustration for Mare Island Historic Park Foundation’s annual Founders Day on September 15, a family friendly event celebrating the naval history of Mare Island.
Student Bosa Olotu printed his design on a bandana and tote bag with Professor Sarah Wasley-Smith, who teaches Illustration and Digital Textiles at .

Want to learn how to create your own custom designs? We’re offering DMA 130: Digital Textiles this summer as a 4 week class starting June 10! Meets Tues/Thurs 1-4:15, CRN is 60163

Join us this summer at the beautiful Vallejo campus and learn how to bring your creativity to life with animation! This course is four weeks long, and meets June 10-July 5 on Mondays/Wednesdays from 1-4:15 pm.

Are you a current or former student who has taken digital media arts classes? We want your feedback! Click the link in our bio to take our quick survey and let us know what you’d like to see more of in our department!

Link in bio to join! Katreena Alder is a former professor and scholar of Film and Television. In this interactive talk, she will be discussing narratives and character identity in a series of film trailers. A great opportunity for film, TV, animation, design, and communications/psychology students or anyone who loves digital media! Free and open to the public, link in bio to register.

Mariana Garrick is a alumni and a grant writer, journalist, and social justice advocate in Washington, D.C. - join this virtual talk to hear her speak about her academic and professional experiences! Click the link in our bio to register!

Guest speaker Rosalinda Mancillas will be here this week in Vallejo on March 6, and in Fairfield later in the month on March 19 and 26! Rosalinda is an artist, activist, youth development coordinator and anti-racism activist based in Sacramento - come hear her talk “I Am My Own Storyteller,” this month

New open lab hours! Get help with assignments and work on your digital media projects for class!

Unlock a world of acceptance and joy at the Pride Club LGBTQ+ Grand Opening! Immerse yourself in a celebration of love and equality. Capture memories at the photo booth, savor delectable hors d'oeuvres, and get a unique personal sketch by a talented caricature artist – because every moment is a masterpiece. Embrace the spectrum of colors and stories that make our community extraordinary. Join us for an unforgettable experience!

Please accept invite to RSVP by 12/3

Digital Media Arts lab hours in Vallejo! Need to work on final projects?
Come check out our new lab space in room 129 at the Vallejo Center! Open 10 am to 1 pm!

Advanced digital illustration students explore shadows cast from objects out of view.

alumni Aerick Hood got to meet the pioneering veteran animator Floyd Norman this weekend at in Pasadena! Floyd Norman worked for various animation companies, among them Walt Disney Animation Studios, Hanna-Barbera Productions, Ruby-Spears, Film Roman and Pixar. He also co-founded Vignette Films, which produced the Soul Train credits. Norman was Disney’s first Black animator, and is the subject of a documentary about his life:

Follow Aerick at to see more of his work - he recently moved to LA to pursue his dreams of working in an animation studio!

experimenting with our Roland printer and possible projects for the design Boot Camp coming this Spring. Hoping to offer assignments that would appeal to a variety of students. Students who have sewing expertise might really enjoy being able to create custom designed fabric covered buttons for an outfit.

continued experimentation with the new dye sublimation printer.

come visit us will be here until 130 today at the Fairfield campus

Experimenting with our new large format dye sublimation printer. We just created these lens / screen cleaners today!

We will package them up and have them out for folks during the Wednesday Welcome event at our Fairfield campus.
We are working on a Boot Camp this Spring where students can design work to output on this amazing printer. Format Dye Sub Printer

Solano College arts is shocked and devastated to learn of the passing of Jennyann Carthern . JennyAnn was recently hired to teach Graphic Design 1 this fall, in what would have been her first semester as Adjunct Professor at Solano Community College. We were so excited to have her join us at and thrilled for the lucky students who would get to work with her an instructor.

Jennyann was a working artist, designer, project leader, trainer, and illustrator, with over 20 years of experience in arts and arts education in Solano County. She was also the founder of Paint is Thicker than Water, where she hosted online painting nights, and a surface pattern designer. (see examples of her work in this post)

A graduate of CCA, Jennyann was also a former student at Solano College Arts. As both a teacher and a student, she was an incredible presence in the classroom - dedicated, generous, and incredibly intelligent, with a great sense of humor.

Jennyann leaves an enduring legacy in both the professional and personal realm. During her life, Jennyann worked tirelessly to ensure that art, in all its forms, is accessible to everyone, and transformed numerous lives. And those that knew her remember her unwavering kindness, thoughtfulness, and the brilliance of her imagination.

As part of her legacy, her family requests that those who'd like to honor Jennyann take some time to make art this week.
Photos of the art and the process can be shared with the family on the website linked in our bio, where it will be showcased at her funeral. You may also share stories or memories of JennyAnn on the site as well.

Jennyann was one of the main providers for her family; the website linked in our bio is accepting donations to support her family if you are able to and would like to donate and help support them.

The new lab facilities on the Vallejo campus are gorgeous!

New classes added this fall! We’re excited because a few of these classes will be offered at our newly remodeled lab located at our Vallejo campus!
Got questions about hybrid classes, attendance or anything else? Send us a message!
 
Typography
CRN 80958
CLASS TIME: MW 1-3:50 pm
DATES: 10/11/23-12/08/23 (8 weeks)
LOCATION: ONLINE CLASS
 
Graphic Design 2
CRN 80958
CLASS TIME: MW 1:00pm- 3:50pm
DATES: 10/11/23-12/08/23 (8 weeks)
LOCATION: VALLEJO – Hybrid (flexible attendance)
 
Animation Bootcamp
CRN: 80959
DATES: 10/09/23-10/30/23 (4 weeks)
CLASS TIME: MW 6-8:50 pm
LOCATION: Vallejo - Hybrid (flexible attendance)
 
Design Bootcamp
CRN: 80449
DATES: 11/01/23-11/20/23 (4 weeks)
CLASS TIME: MW 6-8:50 pm
LOCATION: Vallejo - Hybrid (flexible attendance)

Final Project for DMA 021
Advanced Digital Illustration SPRING 2023

Project Description:
Illustrate a Graphic Novel about ASTC (Academic Success and Tutoring Center) at Solano Community College
These are stories submitted by actual students and tutors at Solano College. novels

Final Project for DMA 021
Advanced Digital Illustration SPRING 2023

Project Description:
Illustrate a Graphic Novel about ASTC (Academic Success and Tutoring Center) at Solano Community College
These are stories submitted by actual students and tutors at Solano College. novel

STUDENT ART SALE

Wed, May 10th •10 AM -5 PM
Thurs •9 AM-7 PM

Herger Gallery 1300 Building
Fairfield Campus
Cash or check.

Join our team! design, teachers