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IUP-Punxsy, ArtsPath team up to offer student projects |
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Front Page -
Front Page Story
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Written by Matthew Steffy
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Saturday, 21 February 2009 |
IUP-Punxsy student Veronica Anderson uses a lathe to turn a leg that will be used on a bench that winds inside and outside the Learning Center. (Photo by Matthew Steffy/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — IUP-Punxsutawney and ArtsPath are teaming up to bring new designs to the campus and new experiences to students.
ArtsPath, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, is an arts-in-education program that assists in finding artist for a particular organization, and then supplies funds for the project at that venue.
IUP-Punxsutawney and ArtsPath were able to bring in local artist Michael Stadler, who specializes in wood-turning furniture. The campus plans to build a curving bench, running inside and outside of the building and meeting at the windows to give the appearance of continuing through the window.
ArtsPath and IUP- Punxsutawney have matched funds for the project.
Several first-year students have been assisting Stadler in making the legs for the bench, and faculty member Dr. Ray Beisel is offering extra credit for students in his first-year seminar class to attract them to participate in the project.
"It's the idea of enriching the campus environment," Beisel said. "This is not course-related, not evaluated. This is hands-on, something you can smell, feel, do. It's a critical thinking project."
"If they make a leg, I want them to replicate that," Stadler said. "I try to bring some concern for design, for the process."
Among the students working on the project are Veronica Anderson and Kimberly Robinson, both 2008 graduates of PAHS.
Anderson acknowledged that she originally sought the extra-credit opportunity, but now, "This is interesting and enjoyable. It's a new experience. It would be nice if more students would come for the experience and to make something nice for the campus."
Anderson estimates that five or six students have been turning legs so far.
"With Mr. B. (Beisel), it's all about learning," Robinson said. "It's about being prepared and making the right choices. I didn't come because of the extra credit. I just wanted to do something besides sit around."
Anderson and Robinson, best friends throughout high school, said that the main concern with the legs is making them too thin at certain parts.
The legs are shaped by applying a chisel to a block of wood rotating at a high speed on a wood lathe. Designs are slowly etched into the block, with symmetry being the objective, according to Anderson.
The white oak planks that will form the seat of the bench were being steamed so they can be curved to fit the design, Stadler said.
"You have to steam each piece of wood about one hour per inch of thickness," he said. "They (the students) are doing all of the legs and helping me do the bending."
The bench will be completed by the end of the semester, according to Stadler, who will continue the project with the students every Friday until its completion.
"Right now, the students are doing most of the work. I might have to do more as we get closer to the end of the semester."
"We're just happy to contribute to the campus," Anderson said.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 February 2009 )
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