Description of the Experience
The creation of this first interdisciplinary emerging technologies lab at College of the Sequoias was launched as a prototype for a potential future real space in a very special exhibition event open to the public called “Art and Emerging Technologies to Improve Society”, from May 21 to 22, 2024, in front of an amazing audience turnout at the opening reception and awards ceremony at COS Art Gallery, packed with over 70 people that came out to support our students’ projects, eager and willing to interact and play with all kinds of modern equipment to enhance their lives. THANK YOU!
The exhibition brought together a lot of successful art projects made by Students from many different disciplines that employ emerging technologies, such as virtual reality, computer software, 3-D printers, or laser cutting machines, among others; in order to improve our world and lives. Students were collaborating in teams with faculty and staff advisors, interdisciplinary colleagues, and outside artists from different universities to generate a memorable experience for everyone to enjoy. “With the ‘Lab for Wonderful Ideas’ we are creating something outstanding!” – A student quote from ‘Introduction to Digital Art’ Class, Spring 2024.
This tremendous achievement was possible thanks to the collaboration between the Departments of Fine Arts and Communication at College of the Sequoias within the prestigious Fulbright Program, including the Dean of Arts and Letters Mr. Richard Lubben and the Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence Dr. Ramon Blanco-Barrera (a.k.a. 233, creator of the concept and leader of the experience), as well as under the unlimited support of many other Deans, Faculty, Technicians, Marketing Department, the COS Art Gallery Director Amie T. Rangel, the Division Chair Mr. James McDonnell, the Vice President of Academic Services Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna, and President and Superintendent Dr. Brent R. Calvin. In addition, COS Foundation, thanks to Director Mr. Tim Foster, was also extraordinarily collaborating by sponsoring generous awards, judged by Artist Salvador Carrasco Jr. and intended for the acquisition of emerging technology for student projects. This way, College of the Sequoias Community College is getting on top of a new era of art and modern critical thinking, innovative learning methodology and real professional development.
If you want to know more about the Fulbright Program, please check it out at https://fulbrightscholars.org/