CWI Compass Connect - December 6, 2016
In the Spotlight
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News Highlights
U.S. Holiday Tradition has CWI Flair
An Idaho inspired, one-of-a-kind work of art is in Washington D.C. for the holidays thanks to a partnership forged between a pair of Treasure Valley organizations. In December the Capitol Christmas Tree will stand outside the United States Capitol Building, accompanied by a custom steel display. The artwork helps tell the tree’s story and represents the collective effort made to send the perfect Christmas tree from McCall, Idaho to the nation’s capital.
The display was created by students at Centennial Job Corps in Nampa and faculty with College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Welding and Metals Fabrication program. Logistics of the project brought the two groups together and it proved to be a beautiful collaboration.
“We didn’t have all the machinery or skills to execute the project,” explains Job Corps’ Kris Johnson. “I knew that CWI has both. So, I made contact with [CWI Welding Program Chair] Mike Wheeler and the rest is history.”
Job Corps was originally approached by Payette National Forest staff to produce the display, offering a valuable learning experience for students. The opportunity was too important for Johnson to pass up, leading him to contact Wheeler. CWI’s faculty jumped at the chance to take lead on designing the elements of the display and cut all of the metal pieces in the CWI Welding labs.
“Anytime we can donate our time to either help out in the community or bring notoriety to our program and the trade of welding and metals fabrication, I get a great deal of satisfaction out of that,” says Wheeler.
Once complete, Johnson’s students welded the individual elements together and added finishing effects, like sanding, polishing, and coloring.
“The experience for the (Job Corps) students was huge,” Johnson says. “This is technology that we don’t have but that they should all be aware of and have some idea of how it works.”
CWI faculty used the Capitol Christmas Tree’s official logo, commissioned by Idaho artist Ward Hooper, for direction. Wheeler says the project was tedious and presented plenty of challenges along the way. It required drawing the display in computer drafting software and then precisely cut the metal pieces, both true to design as well as structurally sound. All of the work was well worth it, however, knowing where the artwork is now standing.
“The fact that this piece traveled the country and ended up in Washington D.C. means a lot,” says Wheeler. “I hope it gets people excited about the welding trade, thinking about welding in a different light, and maybe inspires them to create something of their own.”
In addition to the display, CWI’s Welding faculty created 30 table-top metal Christmas trees, which will also be on display at the lighting ceremony on Dec. 6. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through Dec. 25.
CWI Successful at Linfield Tournament
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate brought home a number of individual awards on its way to a second place finish among community colleges at the Linfield College Mahaffey Memorial in McMinnville, Oregon. The 86th Mahaffey Memorial was held Nov. 17-21 and featured 31 teams from two- and four-year schools. CWI sent 19 students to participate in the event, including 11 competing for the first time this semester.
Among the awards celebrated by the team was a Junior Poetry victory for new competitor Aleli Snively. She achieved an incredibly rare feat; receiving first place in all preliminary and final rounds of the event. “My success at the tournament was a culmination of my teammates individual talents, shared with me through extensive coaching and patience” says Aleli. “They worked hard to foster the success I had at the tournament, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
CWI Art Instructor Selected for Prestigious Show
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Art Faculty, Goran Fazil, was recently selected to participate in a showcase of contemporary art from around Idaho. Fazil is one of just 24 artists picked to participate in the Boise Art Museum’s (BAM) Idaho Triennial; a show that occurs just once every three years. BAM received 917 entries from 180 Idaho artists. Selections for the show were made by out-of-state juror, John D. Spiak.
This is the second time Fazil has been included in the Idaho Triennial. This time, his work is an animated short movie titled Creation of a Nation. He explains, “The movie is split into four different sections; the first one is about migration which is the idea that all nations are created through some type of migration. The second section is about ritual and development of rituals such as prayers, symbols or national anthems. The third section is about development of heroes and leaders. The fourth and final section or chapter of this movie is about destruction and isolation. Through creating a nation we always isolate ourselves from other humans and the rest of the world.”
The animated short movie will be projected on a three-by-four feet canvas.
“I am very glad to have been selected for the second time for the Triennial,” says Fazil. “I am particularly happy because the work that was accepted is in a medium that I just started working on.”
The Idaho Triennial is open to the public. The exhibit will run from Feb. 18 through July 16. Visit www.boiseartmuseum.org for more information.
Welding and Metals Fabrication Open House
On Dec. 7, College of Western Idaho (CWI) is inviting the community to explore the in-demand careers available through new, evening courses in Welding and Metals Fabrication.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Micron Center for Professional and Technical Education
5725 E. Franklin Road Nampa, ID 83687 Directions
CWI’s Welding and Metals Fabrication program is designed to give you comprehensive training in just nine to 24 months so that you can move on to exciting careers in local industries. CWI partners with local employers to ensure that we are providing the exact skills that those employers are looking for.
Instructors, advisors, and enrollment specialists will be at the event to talk with attendees about career options, to give tours, and provide program specifics.
More information about the Welding and Metals Fabrication program can be found online at cwi.edu/program/welding-and-metals-fabrication.
Please call 208.562.2381 or email delynnbute@cwi.edu for more information about the event or with any questions about CWI's Welding and Metals Fabrication program.
Holiday Concert Presented by CWI Choir and Faculty
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) community is invited to a concert of holiday music performed by the CWI Chamber Choir and members of the Performing Arts faculty. Join them on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at beautiful Still Water Hollow, located at 18120 Dean Lane in Nampa. This is a concert for all ages and is free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.