Figurative Concepts, starting this semester, will offer detailed lessons in kinesiology, bone structure, and general human anatomy.

Art instructor Jane Fisher is teaching the class, which is the newest of three topics in studio arts courses taught under the Art 150 umbrella. It is temporarily replacing an advanced painting course during a trial period.

Figurative Concepts is currently classified as an experimental topics course; it will be reviewed by the art department at the end of this semester.

If approved, the DVC curriculum committees will review the course before it can become an official course. Curriculum committee chair Obed Vazquez said this process usually takes between one to two years.

Art department chair Michele Krup said experimental topics courses are offered as a result of new course proposals submitted by teachers.

Ideas for new courses need approval by the department, division dean, office of instruction, and vice president of instruction before they are offered as experimental topics courses. 

“It’s a way for the curriculum to be tried out,” Krup said.

Fisher said she looks forward to getting to know her students and believes the course will be a way to “take the Bay Area figurative tradition into the 21st century.”

Students share her enthusiasm, and returning student Terry With, 58, is excited for the new opportunity.

“I’ve been painting for some time myself, and [Fisher] has some fabulous techniques I’d like to learn,” With said.