A year ago, local artist Denica Shell heard that Sheridan College was offering a new Arts Administration certificate. A mom and entrepreneur, she decided it would be a great way to broaden her skill set and job opportunities while staying in Sheridan.
Shell graduated in 2006 from Sheridan College with her associate degree in fine arts and went on to earn her bachelor’s in visual arts from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She says she is inspired by her grandmother, a self-taught painter and artisan who was born on a homestead outside Ucross in the 1920s.
“Following my passions in life, specifically art and community-oriented involvement, continues the legacy and love my grandmother had for the arts and her home here in Wyoming,” she said. “I attribute a lot of my inspiration and talent to her.”
The certificate program includes courses in nonprofit leadership, business, public speaking and requires an internship. Shell said the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College is one of the main reasons she decided to enroll in the program.
“The amazing facilities you have access to and the wide variety of materials and tools available to students allow you to broaden your skills as an artist,” she said. “The fact that there are these opportunities here in rural Sheridan, Wyoming, especially at such a low cost, is pretty incredible.”
Since starting the program, Shell says she has learned new techniques, including metal and wood working as well as print making. In addition, she has added valuable skills from working in the Edward A. Whitney Gallery, such as hanging and displaying art and planning gallery events, and a better understanding of the arts as a business.
Since starting the program, Shell says she has learned new techniques, including metal and wood working as well as print making. In addition, she has added valuable skills from working in the Edward A. Whitney Gallery, such as hanging and displaying art and planning gallery events, and has gained a better understanding of the business side of the arts.
“Learning the business end of the arts has opened a lot of doors for me,” she said. “I’ve learned I can still be creative but also be a valuable asset to other creatives and/or institutions and nonprofits.”
Shell is completing a paid internship at The Brinton Museum this summer, funded by the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Foundation, which fulfills her certificate requirement. Through this experience, she has broadened her professional network, gained more experience hanging and displaying art, and assisted with community events and research.
The required nonprofit leadership course and her internship have been especially instrumental for Shell, who hopes to one day become a leader in the nonprofit community. One of her goals is to run an artist co-op in the future. In addition, Shell recently joined the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
“This program has allowed me to meet lots of people in the community who work in the arts and broadened my professional network immensely,” she said.
Shell graduates from the program this fall and is excited to see how her newfound skills and experiences help her better serve her community and continue to grow as an artist.
Since starting the program, Shell says she has learned new techniques, including metal and wood working as well as print making. In addition, she has added valuable skills from working in the Edward A. Whitney Gallery, such as hanging and displaying art and planning gallery events, and has gained a better understanding of the business side of the arts.
“Learning the business end of the arts has opened a lot of doors for me,” she said. “I’ve learned I can still be creative but also be a valuable asset to other creatives and/or institutions and nonprofits.”
Shell is completing a paid internship at The Brinton Museum this summer, funded by the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Foundation, which fulfills her certificate requirement. Through this experience, she has broadened her professional network, gained more experience hanging and displaying art, and assisted with community events and research.
The required nonprofit leadership course and her internship have been especially instrumental for Shell, who hopes to one day become a leader in the nonprofit community. One of her goals is to run an artist co-op in the future. In addition, Shell recently joined the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
“This program has allowed me to meet lots of people in the community who work in the arts and broadened my professional network immensely,” she said.
Shell graduates from the program this fall and is excited to see how her newfound skills and experiences help her better serve her community and continue to grow as an artist.
