When an art class and a working vineyard came together for a study project, they created something surprising: a multi-disciplinary celebration of the grape, the harvest and the fascinating world of wine. Yavapai College presents Viticulture Art Class Exhibition. Sept. 17 – Oct. 2 at Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus Art Gallery.

This engrossing collection of acrylic landscape paintings came from students of the College’s ART 298 class, under the instruction of painter Ken Ottinger. Ironically, the works sprang from a class project with an entirely different aim.

“This class was created with input from Ken, who wanted to give his students an experience of being commercial artists.” Yavapai College Visual Arts Dean Bryan Robertson explained. “The class focused on working with a client, [YC’s] Southwest Wine Center, to craft paintings and artwork that were marketable as fine or graphic art.”

Working from Southwest Wine Center photos, SWC wine labels, and examples of fine and graphic art, students created a compelling collection of paintings capturing the SWC’s Verde Campus Vineyards and the winemaking processes at work there. “This project is a wonderful collaboration between the SWC and Visual Art Department – and a way for visual artists to gain experience in producing and marketing their work.”

The Viticulture Art Class Exhibition will also feature paintings from Ottinger’s Spring 2024 Viticulture Art Class.

The Viticulture Art Class Exhibition will be presented at Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus Art Gallery located inside the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at 1100 E. Sheldon Street, on the Yavapai College Prescott Campus. The Gallery is open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. For exhibit schedules or more information, please call: (928) 776.2031 or visit: www.yc.visualarts.com. 

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Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.

To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.