Howard W. Hewitt – A lot of creativity, some engineering, and the pressure of a class final culminated Thursday with a cardboard raft race down Sugar Creek.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Joe Gower gave his students a fun project with serious objectives. See photo album here.
“The Great Cardboard Regatta is the final project for the Art 121 Intro to 3D Design class.” Gower said. “It’s purpose is to have the students work in collaborative groups and to utilize the skills learned from previous assignments to make a boat that can support at least one member of it’s team and float a 200 meter course down the Sugar Creek.”
All five boats made it from the launch point at Clements Canoes to a bend in the creek, perhaps 100 yards away. Three “prizes” were awarded. The team of Alex Carr, Ian Starnes and Gabriel Stancu won the race. Art Professor Doug Calisch judged the “most aesthetic” category and handed the trophy to the same group for their spaceship design.
The other winner was the Batman-themed entry of Mike Scott, Jake Huston and Stephan Mosier. Gower had me choose that winner. I based my choice on their carrying out the theme with full costumes.
“Each boat must be made out of only cardboard, tape, glue, and one 4’x4’x2″ sheet of insulation foam,” Gower explained. “Each team is given a particular time period in which
their design has to relate. The project is graded on three criteria: functional design, aesthetic design, and participation as a collaborative group.”
Gower thanked Clement’s Canoe for use of lifejackets and oars.
In photo: Starnes holds up the coveted first-place trophy.
