Arts & Ed for All: WCC opens its campus for free classes and performances

PULP LIFE

Washtenaw Community College teacher and student

As part of this year’s Washtenaw Community College Fall Open House and Free College Day on Sunday, September 30, WCC hosts “OPEN ARTS – A Celebration of the Arts at Washtenaw Community College,” honoring the artistic accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It is a chance for the WCC community to show off talents that one doesn’t necessarily see in the classroom, and that may have nothing to do with academic life.

Once known as Bravo, this event has been happening for the past four years. (The name was changed so as to avoid confusion with the Bravo awards given out to faculty members nominated by students to be recognized for their work.) This is the first year the event has “piggybacked” with Free College Day. 

Department chair and dance professor Noonie Anderson “was the original push for this performance, and [has] overseen the project since it started.” She said, “Our WCC community is far-reaching and a major part of our Ann Arbor and Ypsi communities. It was a way for us to share with the communities that support us and celebrate to WCC.”

From 11:30 am to 3 pm, peruse the gallery show, devoted to visual arts, photography, ceramics, and digital media. The live performances, starting at 2:15 p.m., will showcase music, song, dance, poetry, and theater. This is a free performance, though a $5 donation is suggested, and is appropriate for all ages. There is no pre-registration required with general seating. An artist reception immediately follows at 3:30 pm. 

The Live Performance will be held in Towsley Auditorium in the Morris Lawrence Building. The Gallery Show will be held outside in the lobby. 

Here's a list of classes being offered:

Open to the public, Free College Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of 25 free classes led by WCC faculty and community partners are offered during two sessions, starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is required and seating is limited. Classes being offered include: 

  • A Brief History of 'Fake News'
  • Adult CPR
  • Biology and Aging: Positive Effect of Exercise
  • Campus Tree Walk
  • Chair Yoga for Flexibility
  • Computer Networking for Home or Office
  • Creating Customer Advocates
  • Creative Writing and Chinese Food
  • Demystifying College
  • Educating a Police Officer
  • Financial Fitness for Young Adults
  • Fun and Easy Fabric Collage
  • #Hashtags# for Social Media Marketing
  • Have Your DNA and Eat It, Too!
  • Improv Yourself
  • iPhone Photography
  • Journal Writing
  • Muscle Fibers: Biology Behind Training & Adaption
  • Parenting Toolbox: Helping Our Littles with Big Emotions
  • Physiological and Psychological Tolerance of Opioid Use
  • Psychology: Controversy to Science
  • Social Media Best Practices
  • STEM Labs Backstage Pass
  • Taking a Peek at Brazilian Portuguese
  • Wills 101

Crysta Coburn is a desk clerk with the Ann Arbor District Library, freelance writer, editor, and author.


Visit wccnet.edu for more info and to register for classes.