Lila Maxwell sees more than garbage when she walks through scraps of metal that have been thrown away by the welding students at Sampson Community College.
The art student says she quickly sees how those pieces can be used to make a pair of chaps for a cowboy, rather than throwing them away and wasting good material left from other projects.
Highlighting the creative edge of its students like Maxwell, the annual Spring Art Show and Reception will be held April 4 and feature the artwork of local students and artists.
Held each year in April, the Continuing Education Department of Sampson Community College will feature the artwork of the students in Walt Smith’s art class, as well as welding students who have taken the class objectives to a new level. The event is sponsored by the SCC Foundation and will be held from 4-7 p.m. in the East Building. This year’s show brings an additional touch of specialized art, as there will be an opportunity to view pieces of sculptured artwork.
According to Katie Brown, director of customized training and occupational extension program, the creative art classes are designed to benefit the beginning, experienced or accomplished visual art student by providing the opportunity to learn the basics or to improve his or her visual art techniques in design, composition and drawing, oil, acrylics, ink or watercolor paintings, still life, landscape, portraiture, and abstract or non-objective art.
“It is a proud moment for the staff and faculty to walk the halls of SCC and view the beautiful pieces of art,” Brown shared. “The students acquired knowledge in the techniques of drawing or skills of painting. The art is uplifting and inspirational to view as we acknowledge the talents and skills of our students.”
Maxwell, along with her husband Mac, enjoy taking the welding classes for more than learning how to weld, but learning how to use the techniques most people learn for a career path as a way to make yard art.
“I started taking the classes because I wanted to dabble in something a little different,” Maxwell said. “My husband is taking the classes because he wants to learn how to weld.”
According art instructor Walt Smith, the classes he teaches focus on visual arts. Many of his students may choose a certain medium, but Smith tries to work with students in every aspect of art. Maxwell participates in the visual arts classes as well.
“The creative art classes at SCC are focused on the visual arts,” Smith noted. “Most popularly the students choose to do paintings and drawings. As the instructor, I am able to introduce and consistently work with the students regarding concepts, techniques and ideas and to do so on an individual basis.”
For Smith, this technique has proved to be a popular and beneficial model through the Community Services Program at the college for quite some time. Each fall and spring semester, Smith and the Continuing Education Department welcome new students, regardless of their previous visual arts experience, to join the classes.
The welding classes will be unveiling a viking sculpture made of metal during next week’s reception. According to the students, this structure stands about nine feet tall. Several students worked on the project.
The art exhibit will remain on display through the month of April. For more information about the classes, contact Sampson Community College at 910-592-8081.
