This state-of-the art 34,000 square foot space houses all DVC art and digital media programs under one roof, creating a dynamic place for our artist community to learn, collaborate, and launch their careers.
What's Inside?
-
Art Complex Office
Where you get questions answered, learn about upcoming events, and learn about our many programs.
Art Gallery
A 1,000 square foot space dedicated to showing the art of DVC students, plus regional and international artists. More details below!
Ceramics Studio
The ceramics studio is equipped with four gas kilns, three electric kilns, a Raku kiln, 25 potter's wheels, a glaze formulation lab, and outdoor covered area providing students with a bright, spacious environment for pottery work.
Courtyard
The courtyard features a flexible outdoor area that functions as a lounge, classroom, or art showcase, and includes a large staircase connecting to the second-floor deck, creating an amphitheater setting for live events.
Jewelry Studio
The jewelry studio is equipped with six oxypropane soldering stations, two fabrication stations, and small metals casting facilities, enabling activities such as enameling, as well as silver, copper, and gold fabrication.
Photography Studio
The photography studio includes a 20-station black & white darkroom, two individual darkrooms, large format inkjet printers (up to 44"), Mac computer labs, a production studio, and equipment checkout offering DSLRs, 35mm medium and large format film cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and accessories.
Printmaking Studio
The printmaking studio features a dark room equipped with screen print and photo etching exposure units, screen washing stations, Mac computers, scanners, printers, three Conrad etching presses, and three letterpresses including a newly acquired Vandercook press.
Sculpture Studio
The facility includes a foundry for mold making and metal casting, a woodshop, a welding shop, blacksmithing facilities, and areas for plaster and armature building.
-
Painting and Drawing Studios
The studio offers live, professional models along with beautiful, natural north-facing lights, providing artists with drawing horses, easels, and drafting tables for creating their work.
Production Studio
The facility is equipped with a lighting grid, three TV broadcast cameras, optical tracking system, virtual production computer workstation, broadcast television featuring a live mixing board, DMX (Digital Multiplex) lighting system, and advanced technology for digital photography, virtual production, and filmmaking.
Behind the Scenes
The building is an all-electric, zero-net-energy LEED-certified facility. Power is provided by an all-electric central utility plant, as part of DVC's sustainability and energy conservation goals. Funded by the $450 million Measure E passed by Contra Costa County voters in 2024, the Art Complex is a great example of a local community supporting and investing in the next generation of artists and creators.
The Art Gallery
A 1,000 square foot space proudly displaying the collaborations between DVC students, curators and faculty. The gallery is the art department's learning laboratory, a safe space to apply classroom learnings in a real-world context. Students deepen their understanding of art theory and practice while gaining exposure to the professional world of art exhibition, curation, installation, and criticism. As a forum for the visual arts at DVC, the gallery's mission is to inspire and educate the entire campus community about the vitality and importance of visual art.
Visiting the Art Complex
The art complex is located on the northeast corner of the Pleasant Hill campus, next to the Kinesiology/Athletics complex. The best place to park is Lot 9, between the bus stop and tennis courts.