Students sing praises of HCTC Associate in Fine Arts Program

The Associate in Fine Arts Program at Hazard Community and Technical College is attracting students who praise the facilities, the teaching, and the opportunity to learn new skills.

One student enrolled in HCTC classes is Willie Miller of Campton who proudly showed the knife and spoon he created. It s wonderful to feel the steel in your hands. He said driving to Hindman for the classes from Campton was worth every penny. At age 77, Miller is a retired coal miner who said he wants to take even more classes, especially because he holds teachers Michael Flynn and Dan Estep in high regard.

Student Velma Browning of Wooton has completed classes in Sculpture and Drawing, Art History, Jewelry and Metal Making, and Photography. In two more semesters, she will earn an associate degree. At age 50, she says she has always created some kind of craft and she has a goal of bringing more emphasis to crafts. The teachers here are great. I wish even more students would come here and join us with all the fun we are having, she said.

Tyler McIntyre of Emmalena is a 2013 Knott County Central graduate. I ve learned how to rivet, cut, saw, use a sander, and I enjoy being here so much I spent an extra 20 hours on my project, McIntyre said. This facility is a hidden jewel; there are so many people with hidden talent, I wish they would come here and use it, he said. McIntyre will transfer to Western Kentucky University this fall after earning two associate degrees from HCTC.

Kelly Hollon of Campton loved the photography class because there was a lot of hands-on activity and she enjoyed interacting with the other students. We gave each other ideas and I really liked that feedback, she said. Hollon enrolled in her class at the Lees College Campus and her first trip to the KSC in Hindman was May 15 when the school hosted the first Associate in Fine Art student art show, which they plan to make an annual event. The building is awesome," she said. Hollon is a 2013 graduate of Wolfe County High School.

Faculty member Michael Flynn coordinated the art show on May 15, which he plans to make an annual event. He said he looks forward to even more students pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts degree and taking advantage of the fine facilities offered at the Kentucky School of Craft, on the Hazard Campus, and on the Lees College Campus.

Anyone interested in upcoming classes can contact Michael Flynn at (606) 487-3113.