By Diana Ybarra
By Diana Ybarra
When you first walk into room 101 in the art building, it’s set up is like any other art class. The walls climb pretty high and hanging from them are art posters. Most of the chairs are tall and set in front of large white weathered tables. After your eyes scan down the walls, past the tables, and chairs, there’s this lone figure with a huge warm inviting smile. It’s instructor Green Hodges, or Nicole, ready to welcome her students to another enlightening day of art.
Hodges, a native of Rialto, grew up in a family where education was most valued. She spent three years at a university in Utah, but decided to come back to California and start over. This new start included going to RCC.
As a matter of fact the very first art class she ever took was in the same room she’s teaching in now.
Before she decided to be an art instructor she planned on being a psychiatrist, but fell into the arts.
She was drawn to teaching because she found a way to make a living and still finds time to be involved with her interests, which includes painting.
“It’s my job and pleasure to teach and watch my students learn the formal concepts of art making, its various methodologies and the creative process,” she said.
Hodges has led and still leads a very active life. She’s traveled a lot and has been to places like Mexico, Canada and some European countries. She studied dance for about seven years and was a dance tutor for modern dances. One interesting fact is that she used to be a professional belly dancer for six years.
She is also active when it comes to art. Aside from teaching at RCC, she has a studio in Claremont, where she has put on shows. Direct Translation is an example of one of the art groups she used to head.
Hodges has only taught at RCC for two years, but her zeal for art is sure to earn her a good reputation among her students.
She commented on what she would like her students to take from her class.
“Most importantly, I want my students to gain an understanding of art as the highest form of communication capable of filling voids and bridging gaps between anyone and everyone,” she said. “My students tend to walk away with the notion that art wields the power of connection via expression, and there is an aptitude within all of us to understand and manifest it.”
