Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1474353
Like many great ideas, it began with a problem that begged for a solution. "I knew from the time I was hired in 2013 that we needed to improve the fine arts department," said NWACC President Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson. "Where the arts department was residing didn't have good light, the ventilation was bad and the ceilings were low. It just wasn't the kind of environment that's conducive to creating art. I went to work on getting a facility that would really be a college level facility for the arts. At the same time, we had our construction technology department that had outgrown its space. They needed more space and better ventilation like the art department." And that's when the idea clicked: maybe they really shouldn't be in separate spaces. "People oftentimes separate the practical arts from the Fine Arts," Dr. Jorgenson continued. "But if you think about it, nothing really happens to the practical part without the design and creative thought that comes first. They don't just drop off a load of lumber and say 'build a house'. Somebody has to design it, there has to the thought given to balance, color, shape, and everything else." Dr. Cornelius led the effort to come up with a solution. "First, we brought the people together from art and from business computer design and construction tech," Dr. Cornelius said. "It was this whole conglomeration of people who came together and said, 'you know, we can do this!' In the end we found a building and put art and art related students on the north side because they wanted northern light and the construction area on the south. There's a hallway that separates the two areas but I like to say it's a bridge that goes between the programs." Integrated design is a creative and holistic approach to the use of design to problem solve and tackle real-world challenges. By pursuing an education in integrated design at NWACC, you can learn how to design, create and innovate and in turn, make change in Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson NWACC President " " We invite people come in to our woodworking area and together they make wooden welcome signs for their front porches using our woodworking tools.