DCCCD Art Students Are Welded to Their Work at State Fair
For immediate release — Oct. 13, 2011
(DALLAS) — Among the treasures sprinkled through the Discovery Gardens at the Texas State Fair are whimsical flowers, lily pads, coppery cogs and even a childlike crescent moon. They don’t bend with the wind, but sunshine brings out shiny metals that reflect the talents of the Dallas County Community College District students who created them. Every piece is made from “found” objects, too — recycled or repurposed materials.
Those students — from the Bill J. Priest campus of El Centro College — are welded to their artwork. They designed, cut, soldered and polished a variety of metallic creations that blend well in the gardens. From palm fronds and petals to insects and turtles, their work attracts guests and transports them from trees and plants to the moon and back again.
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The welding programs offered at El Centro provide career opportunities and a chance to develop a hobby, according to welding instructor Byron Zarrabi, whose giant butterfly and other pieces have graced the Discovery Gardens in previous years. “Discovery Gardens staff members liked the large butterfly because it complemented their butterfly exhibit. When I told them about our art metals program, they invited our students to install their works in the gardens this year.”
He added, “Two instructors — Chris Wood and myself — and three students (Lauren Diane Van Buren, Sarah Bullock and Ismael Bukhari) installed a number of metal sculptures made out of recycled or repurposed materials. It’s been a great opportunity for them because they had to produce a piece of art, deal with timelines, meet delivery deadlines and install their pieces. They also learned about writing their own biographical information, signing contracts and selling their work. We offer an art program from A to Z.”
Some of those works on display in the Discovery Gardens are: “Sprockit” by Chris Wood; “Sea Fan With Butterflies” by Lauren Diane Van Buren; “The Road” by Byron Zarrabi; “The Squigglies,” “Chronos non pari” and “Calisto” by Sarah Bullock; and “Nakhlah Tree of Mary” by Ismael Bukhari. All are for sale.
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El Centro’s art metals program “is extensive and is designed for serious artists who are interested in metal work,” said Zarrabi. Classes include welding safety, tools and equipment; intermediate welding (using multiple processes); metal sculptures; and studio problems in art metals. “We will offer a shorter version of this program as the demand increases,” added Zarrabi.
Following the installation in the Discovery Gardens at the State Fair of Texas, Zarrabi was approached by the Cedars Neighborhood Association (a group that is active in the area surrounding the Bill J. Priest campus, where the program is based) with a request to have some of the art metals students place their works in the neighborhood for everyone to enjoy.
For more information about the program, contact Zarrabi at (214) 860-5880.
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Press contact: Ann Hatch
214/378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu
(618)
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