Pulled from the college’s archive of collected oral histories, alumni share their stories about their time at the college, memories about the spaces, people, work, and activity that happened here. The interviews in this collection were conducted with alumni who attended the college between the 50’s to the 70’s. They were recorded at various events, reunions, and campus visits over the last few years. Oral History interviews are conducted by the Alumni Engagement team, Library and Archive staff, members of the Oakland Campus Legacy Committee, and generous volunteers from the community. Story tellers: Jon Dodge (BFA Painting 1969), Nelson Hee (BFA Drawing, Printmaking 1973), Frank Poulsen (BAEd Art Education 1956), Douglas Sandberg (BFA Film 1978), M. Louise Stanley (MFA Painting 1969, BFA Painting 1967), Mary B. White (BFA Ceramics, Glass 1970; TCred Art Education; MFA Glass 1980); interviewers: Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo (BFA Printmaking 2015), Emily Major.
Douglas Sandberg talks about CCAC in the 1970s. He recounts memories of film faculty Vilem Kriz, the Meyer Library as a sanctuary and resource, the vibrant, heady, intellectual character of CCAC in the 70s, and tells an anecdote about Hugh Wiley's drawing class at the zoo. He discusses the impact that his time at CCAC had on his life after college.
Mary Bayard White talks about various faculty that influenced her during her time at CCAC in the 70s and 80s. She remembers how her edcucation at CCAC cemented her desire to be an artist and the lasting impact that participating in an experiemental program in Mexico had on her.
Sharon Wilcox talks about her experience of CCAC in th 60s. She rembers the loosness of classes, the dedication of the students to their art, and what it was like to be surrounded by faculty like Viola Frey, Peter Volkos, Roy DeForest, Robert Bechtle.
Kai-Yee Woo remembers learning a key principal of design from the Dean of Environmental Design. She talks about campus life during her time at CCAC. She recalls how her final presentation led to her first job.
Billy Hiebert talks about CCAC at the time he was an MFA student in the early 60s. He describes the campus and student body of that era. He remembers the freedom that he experienced as a student and recounts the story of how his own personal sculpture studio, on campus, was created. After he graduated he passed the studio on to graduate students that followed him: Don Rich, Stan Washburn and Ron Terrazas.