A beautiful framed print taken from an original sketch of the McDowell Tech campus is inspiring considerable pride and nostalgia among faculty, staff, students and alumni who have seen it. In 2022, a new tradition began at MTCC to gift the framed print to retiring MTCC employees and exiting Board members for their service. Its surging popularity has resulted in a decision by the college’s Foundation Board to sell copies of the print as a fundraiser to benefit the needs of students and the institution itself.
The talented young artist who created the original sketch for an art project in her Graphic Design course is Charla Parks. When instructors Wes Minish and Jay Perry first saw the sketch, they immediately recognized her talent and shared the sketch with senior administrators at the college.
“The print has a classic, warm appeal. I am positive that alumni and friends of the college will want to display it their home or office alongside their McDowell Tech diplomas,” said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, MTCC President. “We are grateful to Charla for sharing her talents with the college community.”
Both framed and unframed prints are on sale now via the MTCC Foundation website at https://mcdowelltech.edu/mtcc-foundation/campus-print-fundraiser/
Unframed prints are available for $59, and framed prints are selling for $149. Those who order by September 15 will receive their prints by November 1, 2022, while those ordering by October 15 will receive their prints by December 1, 2022.
“Either of these prints would make a wonderful Christmas or birthday gift for a student, alumni or faculty or staff member,” said Madalyn Gaito, Director of Development and Board Liaison.
“We are proud to make these prints available to the public and thankful for Charla’s generosity in sharing her immense talent to benefit the MTCC Foundation and our students,” said Merritt. “Our folks work hard every day to create an environment where students can learn and become successful in their chosen career paths. Hopefully, these prints will give our college community the chance to share their MTCC pride, as well as a chance to look back fondly on their hometown college, the place where their journey to success began.”
