April 2008 News Releases
- 4-30 Public Screening Of SWIC Student Films Shown May 9
- 4-25 Belleville Americorps Volunteer Fair At SWIC On May 1
- 4-10 Be A Part Of The Action: SWIC Bison Gate Project Phase III
PUBLIC SCREENING OF SWIC STUDENT FILMS SHOWN MAY 9
If you enjoy thrillers, comedies, dramas or documentaries, then the 2008 Southwestern Illinois College Student Film Screening is the event for you.
The films will be shown at 7 p.m., Friday, May 9 in Room 1200, Main Complex, Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave. The program will include works from students of the college's Moviemaking I, Moviemaking II and Documentary Moviemaking classes. The screening is free and open to the public.
Some of the films include:
"Who is Rick Hayden?" directed by Randy Shinn, a dark psychological thriller involving murder and memory.
"The Intergalactic Adventure of Space Baby," directed by Dylan Shaffer, a science fiction odyssey involving a spaceship crew's quest for a place to eat lunch.
Buzz worthy documentaries include a film that explores women's attitudes about pornography, and another which chronicles the recent controversy over the closing of an all-ages music venue in Belleville.
"There is a great lineup of films this semester," Associate Professor of English Dan Cross explains. "I believe people will be very impressed with the talent and creativity of students here at SWIC."
Some films may contain mature language or subject matter, and may not be appropriate for young children.
For more information, call Dan Cross at 618-235-2700, ext. 5591, or toll free at 800-222-5131, ext. 5591.
BELLEVILLE AMERICORPS VOLUNTEER FAIR AT SWIC ON MAY 1
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in someone's life? If so, check out Belleville AmeriCorps' upcoming Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 1 at the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.
Students and community members are encouraged to attend the Volunteer Fair. Whether you're a college student looking for a service learning project or an active senior citizen looking to fill part of your day, you'll find an organization in need of your assistance.
"Help make a difference in your community. Most local organizations depend on the services of volunteers to carry out the important work they do. You can be a part of their efforts to help others in the community," notes Belleville AmeriCorps Director Amanda Guinn. "We can gain a greater sense of belonging and awareness of civic responsibility when we help others."
Local nonprofit organizations recruiting volunteers will be on hand to talk about available opportunities and the services they provide. In addition to Belleville and East St. Louis AmeriCorps programs, groups scheduled to participate include the American Cancer Society, Belleville Main Street, the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Children's Home and Aid, Covenant House Missouri, Edwardsville Art Center, Family Hospice, the Franklin Community Neighborhood Association, the Girl Scouts of America-River Bluffs Council, Habitat for Humanity - St. Louis, Land of Lincoln Legal: Ombudsman Program, Literacy Volunteers-Illinois Jumpstart, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Student Leadership Development Program and Volunteer Services, the Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons' Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the St. Elizabeth's Auxiliary, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Center, Siteman Cancer Center Volunteer Services, Tour de Belleville, the United Service Organizations and the University of Illinois Extension Office-4H.
Check out Belleville AmeriCorps' Web site, www.swic.edu/americorps, for an up-to-date list of participating organizations.
People can sign up for volunteer projects with several area organizations at the fair.
The event is sponsored by Belleville AmeriCorps and celebrates National Volunteer Week.
For more information, call Guinn or Belleville AmeriCorps Field Coordinator Margaret Bruns at 618-235-2700, ext. 5709 or 5711, respectively, or check the Community section of the SWIC Web site, www.swic.edu.
BE A PART OF THE ACTION: SWIC BISON GATE PROJECT PHASE III
Be a part of the action! Roll up your sleeves, get "down and dirty" and help create a temporary, environmentally friendly sculpture with Artist Ron Fondaw at the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus.
The third year of the Bison Gate project is about to get under way. This spring, volunteers will create a Chia-style bison. This grass-covered sculpture will be built on the east lawn of the William & Florence Schmidt Art Center using harvested vines, clay, soil and sod.
Work sessions are scheduled for the following dates and times:
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26 (Native Habitat area)
- Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 27 (Schmidt East Lawn)
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 30; Saturday, May 3; and Sunday, May 4 (Schmidt East Lawn)
"We invite community members to join SWIC Art and Biology students as they build a vine structure and cover it with a sod coat to create a bison-shaped sculpture at the site," said Schmidt Art Center Director Libby Reuter. "We also encourage people to come and just watch sculpture in the making."
The Biology department's annual Habitat Restoration activities and the community art project merge again this year. Volunteers will be harvesting invasive, non-native bush honeysuckle from the woods in the campus' Native Habitat area. Those stems will then be woven into the skeletal frame of bison.
"The framework constructed will be covered with a sod coat to create a bison sculpture appearing to graze near the Schmidt Art Center," Reuter said. "As with the adobe Bison Gate projects created in previous years, this new bison will be organic and temporary."
Food will be provided during work sessions.
For details, contact Reuter at libby.reuter@swic.edu or 618-235-2700, ext. 5143;
Assistant Professor of Biology Bob Weck at bob.weck@swic.edu or 618-235-2700, ext. 5607;
or Assistant Professor of Art Guy Weible at guy.weible@swic.edu or 618-235-2700, ext. 5394.