Community News

Artist Matthew Ritichie is this year's guest artist in the Eric Fischl Series. Held at the Phoenix Art Museum from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., the series includes a student art exhibition and reception.

For many of us, resolutions often focus on our health and well-being. Try out PC's Body Transformation Program.

From Japan, Ayumi Sasaki arrived in Phoenix six months ago after her husband transferred here for work. She's taking a Level 3 English as a Second Language (ESL) class to improve her speaking and listening skills and attending free English Conversation Circles in Phoenix College Library to practice. “Talking in English to people in person like this is a good way to understand each other well," she said. "To understand English is important.”

Roxie May can't remember not doing art. When she was little, she made her own toys out of paper. An art educator in the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) for 30 years, Roxie retired in 2016. Eager to return to fiber arts after her retirement, she heard about Saskia Jorda’s textiles class at Phoenix College. The class, which covers embroidery, wet and needle felting, ice and indigo dyeing, contact printing, coiling, and a final conceptual project, has kept Roxie coming back for over ten semesters.

For Karen Yifru, going to school is about learning. With two bachelor's degrees–one in Math, another in Accounting–and a Master's degree in Data Analysis, Karen has returned to school, pursuing another bachelor's degree in Informational Technology at Phoenix College.

As a painter, Patrice Sullivan has been making art for years. “I taught painting for 25 years at Colorado State University. Then I retired and moved to Phoenix.”  Patrice has taken classes in fibers and jewelry, but wanted to see what photography is like, so she signed up for Photography I at Phoenix College (PC) taught by Jennifer Laffoon. She's also taking a Spanish class with Trino Sandoval.

As a student, full-time employee, and a parent, Scott Eroe utilizes PC's Fitness Center during his lunch hour to stay fit and has been a member of since 2016. “It’s a great escape, especially in the middle of the day,” Scott said. “The perks? Definitely seeing people you know everyday.” As far as equipment and exercise, Scott is keen on bench presses, but he likes to change up his routine every few months.  “Until the holiday break, it’ll be a lot more cardio.” He also noted fitness center staff, Ceci Saenz and Logan Ryan, are always available to help members with fitness routines.  

Jeff topping has been taking photographs since 1976 and working as a photojournalist as far as Dubai. Now back in Central Phoenix where he has owned a house in the Roosevelt neighborhood for over twenty five years, Jeff became a volunteer mentor for Kids in Focus where he met Phoenix College Psychology professor, Anndee Rickey, and signed up for her class. “I learned how to work with people and understand the human process more than before I took the class. As a journalist, I enjoyed writing papers for the class since I did a lot of that in my career.”

A proud New Yorker, Paula Cullison, whose maiden name is Giangreco, decided to reconnect with her Italian heritage. In 1996, she started taking Italian language classes and studied for a month in Florence. On her return to Phoenix, she heard Anna Macro was offering Italian film classes at Phoenix College. “I love film and Italian films are obviously very important to me,” Paula said. “I took Anna's class for five semesters. She was so knowledgeable about the directors but also the actors and the storyline. She facilitated really good conversations after each film.”