Nude models have given Nicholls art students a chance to practice their art skills outside the classroom for the past three years.Gaither Pope, assistant professor of art, said he thought students would benefit from practicing their drawing throughout the entire year, instead of just when his figure drawing class was offered. This prompted him to start a drawing clinic his second semester of teaching.

“In the long run, it helps the department, and it helps my students,” Pope said.

In the beginning, Pope put up posters in Talbot Hall to advertise the need for nude models, and he even put an advertisement in “The Nicholls Worth.” Now, however, his advertising is done primarily by word of mouth.

“One model will tell a friend, and then they contact me,” Pope said.

Most of the models used are Nicholls students. And while the majority of them are female, Pope said he does not specify gender, race or body type when looking for new department models.

“The only comment I’d make in regards to physique,” Pope said, “is that it is physically demanding.”

The department pays the models $15 per hour.

Some students use the clinic for practice, while others use it if they are struggling in their classes or if they are working on a project.

“It is not much different than the figure drawing class in what we do,” Pope said. The biggest difference in the clinic versus a traditional class is that students do not have to be enrolled in the clinic to participate.

The drawing clinic is available to Nicholls art students only. Pope says this is mainly because they use nude models, and they need to protect the models’ privacy.

The clinic is offered every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Talbot Hall.