Discovering Art

Art 101 LA: Discovering Art (CS5)
MWTHF 1 – 1:50 p.m.

This course provides a general introduction to the visual arts. Visual elements, design concepts, various art media and major aspects of art history will be examined within the context of the purposes of art in society. Practicing art will take place as a means to explore the artistic concepts reviewed in the course.

Cornerstone 5. Three hours.

The course provides a historical review of art so that students can gain
an understanding of the progression of style in art and the ways that changes in art reflect shifts in society.
The course reviews principles of design as it is practiced throughout history, enabling students to come to learn the way in which presentation of visual language effects successful communication.
Various art media are investigated as a means to becoming better acquainted with art making in general, the way artists think and create and the direct correlation between society and fine art.
The course offers opportunity for actual studio practice of several media so that students can gain a first-hand understanding of various art materials, technique, and the creative process.

Meet Your Professor

Justin Nostrala
Associate Professor of Art

I was born on February 18,1964 in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1986 I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a focus in Painting from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

Shortly after college I lived in New York City until about 1988. While in New York during this period I studied painting at Art Student’s League and attended a couple of classes (Painting and Lithography) at Parson’s School of Design.

After this time in New York I lived for a while in Minneapolis and then St. Paul, Minnesota. In Minneapolis I worked out of a studio in the downtown area, and when I lived in St. Paul I lived and worked at The Northern Warehouse Artists’ Cooperative.

In about 1992 I returned to New York City and continued to live and create there until about 1995. After returning to Iowa I enrolled into the Graduate Painting Program at The University of Iowa where I received a Masters of Art degree in 1998 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1999.

Upon graduation from The University of Iowa I taught design, art history and photography at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. After this one-year assignment I taught design, drawing, painting, and art survey for a year at Mount Union College in Alliance Ohio.

I have been back teaching at Simpson College since 2001. As a tenured Associate Professor I am teaching drawing, painting, basic design, color theory and art survey classes. I have an art studio in my home in Indianola.

Meet Your Destination Leader
Sarah Keller

I am from Overland Park, Kansas. I graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School where I was involved in drama and was a captain on the dance team. I was also a board member in National Honor Society.

I am majoring in art and either journalism or communications. I recieved an art scholarship, a presidental scholarship, and am a Wesley Scholar. Things that I am involved in at Simpson consist of writing for the Simpsonian, dancing on the dance team, being a member of Alpha Phi Omega, and participating in various Religious Life Community events.

Looking forward to meeting you and also to LAS!


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Discovering Art Art 101 LA: Discovering Art (CS5) MWTHF 1 – 1:50 p.m. This course provides a general introduction to the visual arts. Visual elements, design concepts, various art media and major aspects of art history will be examined within the context of the purposes of art in society. Practicing art will take place as a means to explore the artistic concepts reviewed in the course. Cornerstone 5. Three hours. The course provides a historical review of art so that students can gain an understanding of the progression of style in art and the ways that changes in art reflect shifts in society. The course reviews principles of design as it is practiced throughout history, enabling students to come to learn the way in which presentation of visual language effects successful communication. Various art media are investigated as a means to becoming better acquainted with art making in general, the way artists think and create and the direct correlation between society and fine art. The course offers opportunity for actual studio practice of several media so that students can gain a first-hand understanding of various art materials, technique, and the creative process. Meet Your Professor Justin Nostrala Associate Professor of Art I was born on February 18,1964 in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1986 I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a focus in Painting from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Shortly after college I lived in New York City until about 1988. While in New York during this period I studied painting at Art Student’s League and attended a couple of classes (Painting and Lithography) at Parson’s School of Design. After this time in New York I lived for a while in Minneapolis and then St. Paul, Minnesota. In Minneapolis I worked out of a studio in the downtown area, and when I lived in St. Paul I lived and worked at The Northern Warehouse Artists’ Cooperative. In about 1992 I returned to New York City and continued to live and create there until about 1995. After returning to Iowa I enrolled into the Graduate Painting Program at The University of Iowa where I received a Masters of Art degree in 1998 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1999. Upon graduation from The University of Iowa I taught design, art history and photography at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. After this one-year assignment I taught design, drawing, painting, and art survey for a year at Mount Union College in Alliance Ohio. I have been back teaching at Simpson College since 2001. As a tenured Associate Professor I am teaching drawing, painting, basic design, color theory and art survey classes. I have an art studio in my home in Indianola. Meet Your Destination Leader Sarah Keller I am from Overland Park, Kansas. I graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School where I was involved in drama and was a captain on the dance team. I was also a board member in National Honor Society. I am majoring in art and either journalism or communications. I recieved an art scholarship, a presidental scholarship, and am a Wesley Scholar. Things that I am involved in at Simpson consist of writing for the Simpsonian, dancing on the dance team, being a member of Alpha Phi Omega, and participating in various Religious Life Community events. Looking forward to meeting you and also to LAS!
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