Brookings, OR—The Curry Campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College is hosting an art reception Thursday, March 14. Featured will be the work of Gary Christensen, Art instructor at Southwestern, and student work from drawing and painting classes at the Curry Campus. Nine works by Christensen are on display in the community wing of the Curry Campus including four paintings in oil, four watercolors, and one pastel. Additionally, student work is on display in a variety of media. “Teaching art is to give the knowledge of fundamentals and materials, encourage creativity through that knowledge and influence, and mentor in a way that allows for self-awareness in one’s own creative sense,” Christensen explained. Christensen is teaching Basic Drawing and Introduction to Painting spring term. Basic Drawing develops technical and conceptual skills by encouraging imagination, innovation, and expressive ideas in drawing. Introduction to Painting explores visual representation using paints for space, division, color, and surface treatment. People with all skill levels are invited to enroll. Christensen holds a Master of Fine Arts from San Francisco State University; a Bachelor of Art in Art Studio from California State University, Sacramento; and an Associate of Arts and Humanities from Folsom Lake College, in Folsom, California. The art reception is Thursday, March 14 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Curry Campus in Brookings. Christensen will be available to discuss his work and answer questions about the classes he teaches. Refreshments will be provided. The works will be on display in the community wing throughout March. Registration for spring term classes is now open. Classes start April 1. For additional information, contact the Curry Campus in Brookings at (541) 813-1667.