Loren Witcher

Student

“I’m working with so many creative people specializing in different media and art genres. It’s really like getting creative fuel.”

“I started in the Mentor Program in the Arts last spring, and it’s just wonderful,” says Loren Witcher, now in his sixth SMC semester. “The school provides each of us with a small cubicle studio and a small stipend, and we’re all working one-on-one with our professors. I don’t know of any other two-year colleges in the country that offer this.” Loren states that his mentor, Don Emery, has given him an enormous boost towards his artistic goals.

“Don has taught me printmaking, painting, watercolor, and drawing,” says Loren. “But it was a Drawing 2 class I took with him that completely changed my work habits and my standards for creativity and production. That’s what got me into the Mentor Program in the Arts, and it’s really been amazing ever since.” Loren points to another teacher in the arts who’s been a seminal influence in his growth as an artist—and as a person. “My first encounter with Linda Lopez was in oil painting, where I learned the very basic techniques,” says Loren. “She gave me tremendous support, and that allowed me to develop the self-confidence I needed to succeed. Both she and Don have gone way beyond what I ever expected of teachers.”

Applying to both the Rhode Island School of Design and the Pasadena Art Center, Loren sees himself as merely fulfilling his genetic destiny. “Everyone in my family either went to art school or plays music professionally,” he says. “I’ve got an identical twin brother in the Photography department at SMC, and my dad is starting to take watercolor classes with my mentor. Maybe one day,” adds Loren thoughtfully, “I’ll be teaching art at SMC myself.”

Back