The Center for Continuing Education held an acrylics class on Feb. 10 at Sikes Lake Center. But only four people came. 

The acrylics class is one of four of the university’s continuing education courses that explores art. However, with the lack of interest shown in the arts courses, it is likely that all courses will be canceled, according to Lorraine Parmer, director of the Center for Continuing Education.

“This might be the last semester we do the exploring arts because we only had four people there [acrylics class], and that’s not enough people [to keep the exploring art courses available],” Parmer said.

Providing economic stimulation, cultural diversity, community services and education to its residents, MSU has played a vital role in the Wichita Falls community since its establishment in 1922. In hopes to further the university’s influence within Wichita Falls, MSU created the Center for Continuing Education in the early 1980s to educate people who want to learn at a low cost for no college credit. The CCE offers professional development and continuing education units, real estate license courses and other online certifications as well as art, photography, computer and language courses. As a result of the small amount of people signing up for single session classes like exploring art, the CCE will likely begin to cut courses from its catalog that fail to make the attendance quota. 

The CCE encourages students at MSU, as well as members of the Wichita Falls community, to take advantage of the programs offered. 

“Anyone can do it [participate], students, staff, community members, we open it up to everyone. It’s [CCE courses] to bring the community in to be a part of MSU,” Berryhill said.

While the CCE weighs its decision to cut the explore arts courses and other courses missing the attendance quota, it will continue to provide courses with a higher attendance to those interested.

Of the four people who took the explore arts acrylics class, Natalie Griffin, nursing sophomore at Vernon College, and Hannah Sommerhauser, psychology senior, said they enjoyed their time painting hearts and drinking wine. 

“I liked using the different tools, like the sponge and the palette knife,” Sommerhauser said. “I wish this was included in our tuition. I’d come more often.”

The CCE aims to make its course as engaging and enjoyable as possible, while providing the students with hands-on learning. Students and community members are allowed to bring snacks and, if of age, are allowed to bring wine to the explore arts sessions.

“I really enjoyed it,” Griffin said. “I’ve taken a class like this before, and she [past instructor] went step by step, and she [Berryhill] gave us more freedom to do what we wanted.”