Artwork displayed at CPCC to appear in Smithsonian

A contemporary sculpture currently on display at Central Piedmont Community College's Central Campus will be transported soon to Washington, D.C., where it will appear in an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Artist Dustin Farnsworth created the piece called, "Glass Sculpture by Dustin Farnsworth" (2014). The work is on loan to the college from owner Bill Gorelick of Charlotte. The sculpture is on display on the first floor of the Zeiss Building, located on the college's Central Campus. Gorelick has loaned the college a number of pieces from his personal collection since 2013 so students at its campuses can be exposed to and enjoy art in multiple forms, including sculpture, glass and pottery. These spaces have become known as the Bill and Patty Gorelick Galleries at Central Piedmont. There are currently three galleries at Central Piedmont's campuses the college plans to have one at each campus by 2021. To learn more about how to support the Gorelick Galleries, visit the CPCC Arts page.

The Farnsworth sculpture will remain on display at Central Piedmont until mid-October. It then will appear in the Smithsonian's biannual showcase of contemporary craft at the museum's Renwick Gallery from Nov. 9 to May 5, 2019. Following its display in D.C., the piece will return to the Queen City where it will be placed on display in the college's fourth Gorelick Gallery, located on its Harper Campus.

The Smithsonian's exhibition is a biannual showcase of contemporary craft that offers a national platform for both established and emerging craft artists whose work the museum feels deserves more attention. Participating artists are selected by a jury of specialists in the field, and the show will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue.

Farnsworth resides in Montreal and has been an artist-in-residence at the McColl Center for Art & Innovation in Charlotte. His work has appeared in solo exhibitions in Columbia, SC; Huntsville, AL; Wilmington, NC; Murfreesboro, TN; and Grand Rapids, MI.

Posted in Campus, Community, Foundation News.

N.C. Governor Roy Cooper visits CPCC to promote Finish Line Grant program

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visited Central Piedmont Community College's Central Campus on Tuesday, July 17 to promote the state's Finish Line Grant program.
 
Finish Line Grants seek to keep students on the path toward completing a college degree or credential. Too often, financial emergencies such as unexpected healthcare costs, childcare expenses or car breakdowns prevent community college students from reaching their educational milestone.
 
Finish Line Grants strive to help students overcome these unforeseen challenges and finish their training. Qualifying students will receive up to $1,000 per semester for financial emergencies such as housing, medical needs, dependent care and others.

CPCC Opportunity Scholarship student Joshua Williams (pictured in the photo above) spoke at the event about why programs such as the Finish Line Grants are important to today's college students. "I can't imagine what would happen if my family got a big, unexpected bill. I'd probably have to drop out of college and work until I could make enough to pay off my debt," explained Williams. "That's why I'm so happy the Finish Line Grants are now available, so they can serve as a safety net for families experiencing money emergencies."
 
The grant program will be available to CPCC students beginning fall 2018. To qualify, students must be in good academic standing and have completed a certain percentage of their degree or credential program.

Learn more about Finish Line Grants.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Foundation News.