SPARK volunteers prepare exhibits for the annual Engineering Art Show.
Edmonton) The halls are alive with the scenes of art as the annual Engineering Art Show kicks off as part of National Engineering and Geosciences Month festivities.
Engineering alumnus Marwyn Vernon, who earned his degree in chemical engineering in 2013, led the organizing committee for this year's exhibit, called SPARK.
Every year there is a theme and this year, with SPARK, we wanted to celebrate that initial spark of inspiration we all experience," said Vernon. "It is something that flows out of you. Everyone has personal expression that flows out of somewhere but the final work is always unique and personal."
From March 14 - 30, works of art submitted by engineering students and professionals will be on display at various locations throughout the engineering buildings. This year, about 35 works of art, in all manner of media, are going on display.
Vernon says SPARK's "dedicated team" of volunteers has also put together five workshops that will be held over the next two weeks:
March 15
Yoga
5:45 p.m. Colt Design Lab ETLC
Yoga. It's good for the mind, body, and spirit. Certified Vinyasa instructor Dana Moon leads this yoga session. Vinyasa is a "flowing" form of yoga, where one pose directly leads to the next.
Singer/Songwriter Showcase
6 p.m. Remedy Café (8631-109 Street)
Kick back and relax with some up-and-coming talent. How many engineer-singer-songwriters do you know? Prepare to be amazed and entertained by these artists, all of whom are engineering students or recent graduates.
March 16
Concrete Workshop
2 - 3 p.m. NREF 1-106
Want to get creative with concrete? This fun event will cement your place in concrete art history! (This event is part of SPARK, the annual engineering art show and NEGM.)
March 21
Sound Engineering Workshop
2 - 3 p.m.
Join Jayeson Andel, an A&R/Label Director for Nueva Digital and a mastering engineer, as he will be explores an intricate interaction between sound mechanics and a combination of sounds as they harmonize in a fully digital piece of music. (This event is part of SPARK, the annual engineering art show and NEGM.)
March 22
Paint Nite
6 - 9 p.m. Dewey's
Unleash your creativity with fellow engineers, as you will be guided through a Bob Ross painting video from his Joy of Painting episode. The $15 fee covers the art supplies and a free beer. (This event is part of SPARK, the annual engineering art show and NEGM.)
March 30
SPARK Engineering Art Show Closing Reception
Faculty Club - Winspear Room
On March 30, a closing reception is being held at the Winspear Room in the Faculty Club. All the works of art will be on display, and live musical and dance performances will bring SPARK to a fun, entertaining close.
Review this schedule for a complete list of NEGM events.
Vernon says sponsors, including the Faculty of Engineering, U of A Alumni Association, DIALOG, and Nunastar Properties have helped get the exhibit up and running.
Now working as an engineer at CoSyn Technology, Vernon says he wanted to get involved with the art show as a way of giving back to his school.
"I guess it was just kind of luck that I found out they were looking for someone to head this up," said Vernon. "I like to give back to the community and when I heard about this I was excited because I can give back to the engineering community. SPARK is a great creative outlet for the students and faculty and having an outlet like this is important. When I was going to school all I was doing was engineering, engineering, engineering. When you're taking five or six classes there's not a lot of time to express yourself in other ways."