Mario Laplante

By far one of the best art instructors I've had.

This was a monoprinting class and there was a lot of new things to learn. Mario expained everything well. He goes through each step of the process and explains things with great clarity. If you get stuck on something he will sit down with you (or stand) and show exactly how to do it, again.

He is kind and patient and grades fairly.

Mario, oh he is very very nice instructor and the best one I have met so far. I am a beginner in art area, so I feel he gives us a lot of patient. He likes our close friend. He enjoys teaching. With him, I hava a wanderful experince of drawing. My major is not art, and I just like drawing and make myself happy. I think I got it in his class.

Mario creates a great atmosphere in his class with his enthusiasm for the art world. I was impressed with the way he brought out the life from students' artwork- even those who felt they could not draw, found creativity. Mario is a fair teacher who views students equally (no extra special attention on those who had exceptional talent). During the semester, there were two field trips that were great supplements to the class. I never found a time where the pressure was too great to complete a project, since he always gave a substantial amount of time, much of which was class time. Critiques go for most of the class period, if not the whole period, which not only provide for a nice break from drawing, but equips the students with encouragement, or information for future success in constructive criticism. Students are graded on participation, which was not hard even for the shy students. Most of the materials required are cheap and simple, such as pencils, charcoal, drawing board, newsprint and strathmore paper. Usually, a drawing is given one week for completion, which are usually 18"x24". The final project is a choice project, any size paper or canvas, using any medium. Mario's humor and joviality always made coming to his class a pleasure. I would recommend Mario to any first year art student.

Mario is very patient and giving in his role as a teacher. He is really competent in the processes he works with. He is also a very active listener and seems rather honest in his feedback. I haven't taken a studio class with him, which is what he normally does, but I have worked with him, seen him in action, and heard reviews from other students.