Art Program

About the Art Program:

The Odessa College Art Program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the visual arts. Students explore a wide range of artistic disciplines while learning to create, analyze, and interpret works of art. Through studies in studio art, art appreciation, and art history, students gain a deeper understanding of artistic expression and the world’s visual heritage.

The program welcomes beginners, advanced students, and lifelong learners alike, offering art scholarships for those pursuing art as a major. Our courses provide a strong foundation for transfer to four-year universities in areas such as art education, studio art, and commercial art — or for personal artistic growth and enrichment.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower students to explore their creative potential, develop technical proficiency, and cultivate critical and cultural awareness through the visual arts. We provide a dynamic learning environment that values both individual expression and collaborative discovery. Through studio practice, art history, and exhibition opportunities, our program prepares students for continued study, professional careers in the arts, and lifelong appreciation of visual culture.

Faculty:

	Barry Phillips III Barry Phillips the Younger has been a member of the Odessa College art faculty since 1987 and is a former board member for the Texas Association of Schools of Art. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Texas Tech University and a Master's degree in Fine Art from Texas A&M - Commerce. His studio work has been exhibited in over 100 shows nationwide. He is the past recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Drawing and Printmaking as well as a Kimbrough Award from the Dallas Museum of Art. In 2012, he was named Community Statesman for the Arts by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation.
	Daiken Asakawa Daiken Asakawa received his BA from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and his MFA from Washington State University. He has been teaching Ceramics and 3D Design at Odessa College since 2011, where he encourages students to explore form, material, and technique through both traditional and experimental approaches. Asakawa’s teaching emphasizes creativity, craftsmanship, and conceptual thinking, helping students develop a personal artistic voice while building a strong foundation in three-dimensional design and ceramic art.
	Andrew Lawson Andrew Lawson is an interdisciplinary artist based in Midland, Texas, whose work explores narrative-driven world-building as a lens for social critique. He holds an MFA in Printmaking from Texas Tech University and works across painting, drawing, sculpture, animation, and music production. His current series envisions a world inhabited by red-and-white striped forms symbolizing artificial intelligence, blending dark humor and surreal imagery to reflect on the absurdities of modern life. Lawson’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has earned numerous awards for its conceptual depth and craftsmanship.
	Daniel Sorensen Daniel Sorensen is an artist and educator whose work centers on portraiture and the human figure. He holds an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Idaho and a BFA in 2D Studio Art from Brigham Young University–Idaho. Currently the Department Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at Odessa College, he also serves as Chair of the City of Odessa’s Public Art Committee and as a Board Member for the Texas Association of Schools of Art. His award-winning work has been exhibited nationally and has earned numerous honors in juried exhibitions across Texas and the United States.

 

The Phillips Goff Gallery, located in Sedate Hall at Odessa College, serves as a vibrant hub for visual arts education and community engagement. Operated by the Visual and Performing Arts Department, the gallery features rotating exhibitions showcasing the work of students, faculty, and visiting artists from across the region and beyond. Through its diverse programming, the Phillips Goff Gallery fosters creativity, dialogue, and appreciation for the visual arts while providing students with hands-on experience in professional exhibition practices. It stands as an essential space for artistic exploration and cultural connection within the Odessa College community. All gallery events are free and open to the public.

 

Degree Plans:

• Course of Study for Associate in Arts Degree - Art