In architectural terms, the capstone is the final stone placed at the top of a building or a monument. In education, a capstone project (sometimes called a senior project or thesis) is a multifaceted course that integrates a student’s cumulative learning experience.
At Westmoreland County Community College, associate of fine arts students in their final semester participate in a Capstone class during which they “get ready to go on to their next step,” according to instructor Christine Kocevar, by creating artwork, working on portfolios, websites and resumes, and — perhaps most importantly — planning and hanging an exhibition, complete with opening reception, in the Science Hall art gallery on the Youngwood campus.
This spring, there are four exhibitions of works in various media, with two already completed and two yet to come.
The work of Austin Lintelman and Kae Spiering was displayed April 1-5, and the work of Erica Blank, Daniel Fedinick and Casey Madera followed from April 8-12.
Still to come are exhibits by Rain McCoy and Stephanie Oplinger, April 22-26, with a reception 6-8 p.m. April 24; and Sandra Buerklin and Amber Miller, April 29-May 3, with a reception 6-8 p.m. May 1.
The free receptions are open to the public.
At the April 10 reception organized by Blank, Fedinick and Madera, associate art professor Kathy Dlugos said WCCC art students get “a four-year program concentrated in two years. It’s unheard of at other schools for second-year students to get an exhibition. The rigor of learning it takes to put up a show puts them ahead of others.”
