From Personal Enrichment to an Associate in Fine Arts Degree

When life took an unexpected turn at the height of the pandemic, musician and photographer Sterling Powers discovered a new path for her creative expression.

Traveling the globe with her Air Force husband, Sterling easily found work wherever they were located. However, in July 2020, finding work as a musician was a struggle since many music venues were still closed.

Sterling wrestled with pursuing her creative work in a new community. She found herself at a crossroads, unsure of her next steps.

FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE PATH

Sterling decided to return to college in pursuit of new horizons and professional fulfillment. However, her college enrollment was delayed at UNCW until she could retrieve her 20-year-old transcripts.

In the meantime, she discovered an alternative educational resource right down the street from her home – Cape Fear Community College. Sterling enrolled in a couple of music classes to brush up on her skills. She also enrolled in a Three-Dimensional Design course that piqued her curiosity.

“I didn’t even consider getting my Associate in Fine Arts until I took that 3D design class,” shared Sterling. “I had so much fun in that class. I wanted to keep that momentum going.”

EXPLORING A VARIETY OF ARTS

Sterling’s exploration at CFCC ventured beyond the realm of 3D design. She decided to broaden her skill set by enrolling in a welding class, an electronic music class, and a Gallery Assistantship class.

Through the Gallery Assistantship course, she had the privilege of connecting with gallery owners and curators, gaining insights into the intricacies of curation and exhibition management. This hands-on experience culminated in a volunteering opportunity at the Cameron Art Museum.

“The Gallery Assistantship class teaches so many useful things such as properly handling art, curation, and event planning,” Sterling remarked. “Working at the museum offered me valuable experience to put on my resume as well as networking connections.”

RECOGNIZING RELEVANT SKILLS

Diverse courses equipped Sterling with practical skills for the workforce. An English class honed her ability to describe and present her artwork, while a welding course provided sculpting insights. Each class became a valuable stepping stone, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application and preparing Sterling to return to the professional arena.

“Undoubtedly, Cape Fear has prepared me for what’s going to come next,” commented Sterling. “With their amazing curricula, CFCC’s great instructors brought out skills I didn’t know I had — skills I can translate into my next step.”

COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADVOCATE

Sterling is ready to use her new skills wherever life carries her. Inspired by her CFCC experience, she is an advocate for community college education, urging others to consider CFCC as their first choice.

“CFCC classes are super affordable, and the class sizes are small,” Sterling gushes. “The instructors are amazing. You’re not going to get this kind of one-on-one attention at a larger school. Yet, the coursework is as rigorous as a university class, and the instructors take their classes as seriously.”

Learn more about Associate in Fine Arts, Visual Arts