Piedmont Profile: Beryl Solla

Jake Delaurier, staff writer

Few college professors have had a larger impact on their community than Professor Beryl Solla. Solla has been a professor of art at Piedmont Virginia Community College for over a decade and has also taught at James Madison University and Monticello High School. During her time at PVCC, Solla has taught Art Appreciation, Fundamentals of Design I and II, Sculpting I, and a Drawing class.

Solla has helped create numerous art initiatives at PVCC. One of these initiatives is Let There Be Light. “Let There Be Light was the brainchild of James Yates. I thought it was a great idea and said lets do it at PVCC. I’m always looking for ways to bring people into our program and onto campus,” said Solla.“Teaching at PVCC is a challenge. There is a lot of freedom which I love but a lot of work too. I tend to do more than the average bear but time is short. I much prefer teaching at PVCC. I am chair of the department. So I have more control and input. I can generate events and support my faculty in their goals,” said Solla.

Aside from coming up with ideas for art initiatives, Solla is responsible for creating the Student Art Club at PVCC. “I realized it was a way to fund a lot of the things the school and the students wanted, so I organized the art students and presto. For example, the students wanted visiting artists, but we didn’t have any money. People wanted art in their offices but didn’t have money for matting and framing. The Art Club funds that stuff,” said Solla.

Earlier this year, Solla was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. “I earned another nice award a few years ago from the college and have received grants and fellowships in years past. It’s always good to be recognized. That’s not what motivates me, but it is nice,” said Solla.