Artists display winning talents
by Rhonda Cookus, Reporter

   “The greatest discovery is yourself” may seem trite after seeing the slogan so many times. However, on the NW Campus the slogan helps students get out of their “box” and live successfully doing something they love.
   Three extraordinary women have achieved that success.
   Dalit Assaf, Barbara Arabian and Shira Lowy, First through third-place winners of the spring student art exhibit, were honored Saturday at a reception to open an exhibit of their work on the NW Campus.
   Each woman is multi talented in sketch, painting and sculpture and hopes one day to be discovered.
   Assaf, originally from Israeli, has been studying at TCC for two years under three art teachers.
   “Each teacher has given me something different,” she said.
   Assaf said she started out taking her first class for fun, but then refocused.
   “After I took my first class, I enjoyed it so much I kept taking art every year.”
   The artist has 11 sculptures and three paintings displayed. Her sculpture Grandpa brings the image of all grandfathers, portraying the large ears and noses reminiscent of many grandfathers.
   Lowy is an astonishing artist who creates beautiful ceramic pottery. All of her pieces, which are for sale, use interesting coloring and detail.
   Another amazing artist, Arabian obtained a degree in art at the University of Texas in Austin. She spent nine years in China and did not practice her skills.
   When Arabian returned to the United States, she started art classes at TCC.
   “I wanted to beef up my drawing skills,” she said.
   Arabian uses tools such as pen and ink, charcoal and graphite for her sketches. She has an elaborate imagination, bringing her drawings to life.
   “I take life art when it is available,” she said.
   One of her sketches, Are you a mouse? shows a curious cat and puts the viewer into the role of the mouse.
   These remarkable women have indeed gotten out of their “box” and found direction in their art.