Graffiti for a grade at WNCC

Jen Hillyer started her Thursday morning with a political science test. In the afternoon, she had two anthropology exams, and in between, she managed to turn her hands sunshine yellow.

"It's nice to have an art class in the middle of the day, to break it up," Hillyer said.

The 31-year-old was one of about 70 students using chalk on the walkway west of the library at Western Nevada Community College. Students from several art classes are doing the project for school credit.

"Working out here is very dependent on the weather. We don't put any restrictions on the students about their designs; it's really up to them," said Sharon Tetley, WNCC art instructor.

The students should complete their work by Sept. 29, and the creations will be on display for two weeks - if Mother Nature allows it.

Hillyer chose a black cat with a yellow background as her subject because of its simplicity.

Two squares over, Susan Richards, 56, was working on the detailed stripes of her zebra drawing. Richards said drawing has been her lifelong love, one that she put off until she was semi-retired.

"I love doing this. It's what I wanted to do when I grew up," Richards said.

While she has some experience on other mediums, Richards said working on concrete has its own challenges.

"Getting the texture that I want working on concrete, that takes some work," she said.

Farther down the row of 4--by-5-foot squares, 25-year-old Cris Drozanowski was entering double-digit hours of work on her profile of a woman's face. Her biggest problem wasn't the extensive coloring needed for the drawing, but the strong winds pelting her all morning.

"The biggest problem is the gravel blowing in my face while I'm working," Drozanowski said.

The students are graded on participation and effort, but because many of them aren't art majors, not on ability. This is the second year the department has done the project.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.