There is more to trades education than learning how to perform a specific service or task. There is art as well, and students in the Marshalltown Community College skilled trades programs are showcasing their knowledge and creativity with the MCC Trades Art Gallery Exhibit in the Ray Frederick Gallery.

Associate Professor of English and Communications Amee Schmidt said the exhibit is a collection of artistic work from not only students, but faculty as well.

“Two years ago, the MCC Engagement Committee curated the first gallery show for the trades as a way to bring light to our trades programs and the students who are doing this great work,” she said. “This marks our second of the shows, and the plan is to continue this event every other year.”

Schmidt said students in the MCC machine trades, welding, construction technology, gas technology and powerline are highlighted. There is also some artwork from gunsmithing students on the Grinnell campus.

The exhibit opened on April 6 and will run until April 17. Some of the work is for sale, with proceeds going to the artist or group of students and faculty responsible for the piece.

One of the largest pieces in the gallery is not for sale, but will be placed on permanent display on the MCC campus. Designed by student KPaw Moo, it is a “think” metal statue which will be mounted on a slab of concrete. Coming up with the design was a funny story, she said.

“I wasn’t thinking when I was making it and was spaced out, scribbling on my paper and it just happened,” Moo said.

Student Kenna Paxon has a corner in the gallery for her pieces, and none of those are for sale. However, one piece will go down in Iowa history. Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer went through MCC on an Elevate Iowa tour and asked students if they could make a Challenge Coin for her. Paxon’s design was chosen, and she created the mold. She said Cournoyer will have 500 of the coins made from recycled plastic to give to people.

One of the pieces for sale for $1,000 is a prominent shuffleboard made by Machine Trades Instructor Al Parks and students in various trades programs — construction tech and welding.

Another piece priced at $250 is a coyote sculpture made by student Caleb Ragsdale within three or four days. It was originally supposed to be a shooting target for his instructor.

“He thought it looked really nice and wanted to put it up in here,” he said. “It’s made of wind turbine blades and the rebar in the back is what we had in stock.”

There is even a location behind the coyote for a hot pad placement. Schmidt said the purpose is for shooters who use thermal scopes, which is something she had never heard of before and really liked.

Ragsdale also made the legs for the shuffleboard.

Another welding student, Hector Torres, used horseshoes to make decorative crosses, which are also for sale – the larger is $100 and the smaller one is priced at $30. He made one for his mother and his instructor asked Torres to make another one.

“The Trades Art Gallery has become one of my most favorite exhibits here at MCC because it showcases the unique and exciting work our industrial trades students are doing, highlighting the artistry inherent in the creation of everyday objects,” Schmidt said.

EXHIBIT INFORMATION

Name: MCC Trades Art Gallery Exhibit

Location: Ray Frederick Gallery

Address: 3700 S. Center St.

Dates: Monday through Friday through April 17

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.