Let's Dance!

 

     Motlow student Amarah Perkins warms up before performing at the annual Motlow Holiday Traditions show on the Smyrna campus. 

(Photo by Chuck Whiting)

Welcome Back Students (Finally)!

SMYRNA — It’s been snowy and rainy at times, but the winter doldrums can’t keep us away. We are finally getting back into the groove for Spring Semester 2024. 

Welcome back students!

Now that classes are meeting on-ground again, it’s time to celebrate. Please drop by the MLA Lobby anytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday or Thursday (Jan. 31 or Feb. 1) for our Club and Resource Days. 

The Student Government Association will provide complementary snacks as you roam the room to learn more about Motlow’s student organizations and opportunities. Visit individual tables to meet faculty advisers and sign up for future activities, including field trips, games, movie nights, and even a talent show.

For more information, contact Professor Stacy Dowd at sdowd@mscc.edu. 

Here are a few tips for a successful semester.

* Feeling overwhelmed by stress or hardship? Free counseling services are available to all Motlow students (in-person or Zoom). Contact: counseling@mscc.edu or (931) 393-1960.

* Need help with a paper? The Writing Center team is eager to help. Make an appointment in the MotlowHub.

* The Math Lab is open to all students via Zoom appointment. Visit www.motlow.edu/academics/programs/tutoring and click on Math Lab for contact information.

* Do you need a tutor? Find the link for NetTutor under Tutoring Services at D2L.

Have a great new semester everyone!

Motlow Students Invited to Participate in Second Annual Speech Contest

By Robert Davenport
Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

SMYRNA -- Motlow Students can gain invaluable experience and career-changing recognition this spring by competing in the second annual Debbie Zimmerman Oratorial Contest. 

Emerging, intermediate and advanced student speakers are encouraged to enter the contest. 

The deadline to enter the contest is March 12 (Friday). Videorecorded speeches must be submitted by March 15. The speeches will be evaluated by March 22, with finalists notified they have qualified for the finals. The final round of the competition will occur at Moore County on April 4.

Students can enter the contest by emailing Associate Professor of Speech Robert Davenport at rdavenport@mscc.edu. In that email, they should state their name, email address, and the Motlow campus where they attend. Entrants will be emailed a list of the requirements for speech preparation and video submission.

Davenport is once again coordinating the contest, along with faculty co-advisors (Professor Charles Whiting and Professor Debbie Stockdale) of the SEAM (Smyrna Entertainment, Arts & Media) Club on the Smyrna campus. The event is also sponsored by the Humanities Department at Motlow. 

“I appreciate so much the support we have received from my colleagues who understand how important and rewarding this kind of activity is for our students across all of the campuses,” Davenport said. “We are committed to continuing to offer this opportunity to students for many years to come.”

Motlow debuted the contest last April with four students taking the podium for a series of self-penned persuasive speeches with visual aids. Kirsten Wright, who attended classes on the Sparta campus, won first place to become the first-ever Oratorial Contest champion.

The contest is named after Professor Emeritus Debbie Zimmerman, a longtime speech & theatre professor who was instrumental in building the curriculum at Motlow. She was also one of the judges for last year’s contest, along with two speech communication professors from MTSU. She expressed her appreciation for having the event named in her honor, sharing her hope that the contest would become an annual event.

The second annual Oratorical Contest is open to Motlow students (including dual enrollment students) who have already completed COMM 2025 – Fundamentals of Communication or are currently enrolled in that course.

Students who enter the contest will be asked to prepare and present a 6 to 10-minute persuasive speech on a topic of their choosing. Depending on the number of entrants, there will be a “semifinal” round in which students will submit a videotaped recording of their contest speech, which will be evaluated by a group of speech professors. The top five to 10 speakers from that round will then qualify for a live final round of competition on the Moore County campus and compete for trophies and other prizes.

Davenport emphasized how participation in this activity can be extremely helpful to students from any major or career path. The event will help them improve their speaking and overall communication skills as they prepare for the future. 

“Communication skills are the number one skill employers are looking for when choosing new employees for their companies,” Davenport noted. “Besides that, stronger communication skills can help students be successful in their other courses as they advance toward graduation.”

Nashville Artist/Songwriter/Recording Engineer Bryan Cumming to Headline Next ‘Famous Communicator’ Talk

By Chuck Whiting

Motlow Buzz Faculty Editor-in-Chief

 

         SMYRNA -- Bryan Cumming, an acclaimed artist, songwriter, recording engineer, and member of the Grammy-nominated group The WannaBeatles, will speak from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 20 (Tuesday) as part of Motlow’s "Famous Communicator Speakers Series."

         The musician's talk is called "Success and Failure (In and Out) of the Music Industry." He will share his fascinating story on Zoom with photos, videos and live music demonstrations. Admission is open to all members of the Motlow family. Other upcoming "Famous Communicator" speakers this fall include internationally acclaimed visual artist Camille Engel (November - TBA). Nashville author Odie Lindsey spoke on Oct. 1.

          To access Cumming's talk on Zoom, visit https://mscc.zoom.us/j/94032042039

 

Artist Bryan Cumming performs in Nashville 

         Cumming, who sings and plays guitar, sax and cornet, has recorded with popular acts such as Al Jarreau and The Pointer Sisters. He has released several solo CDs. His album "Come Out Swinging" pays tribute to the classic songs and legendary jazz artists of the Silent Generation.  

 

         In 2009, he and three fellow members of The WannaBeatles walked the Red Carpet in Hollywood after receiving a Grammy nomination for the CD "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond." Cumming also produces and records artists at Studio 23 Nashville.

 

         "Come Out Swinging" celebrates the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, and Irving Berlin. The album, which was recorded at Java Jive Studio in Nashville, features Kelli Cox on keyboards, Adam Mormolstein on drums, and John Vogt on bass.

 

         "I grew up listening to the music my father loved, including recordings by jazz artists such as Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller," he said. "As my music career has developed, I've found myself gravitating toward swing. It has a life-affirming tempo that expresses optimism, enthusiasm and energy. I hope my new album will inspire motion, inviting dancers to sway together, bounce, and enjoy the moment, just like in my daddy's day."

 

         A Georgia native, Bryan Cumming grew up in a musical family playing Dixieland and classic jazz and singing harmony on Beatles songs. After serving a year in the U.S. Army playing saxophone, he toured and recorded with Martin Mull. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976, playing sax on sessions with artists such as Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur, Al Hirt, and The Ohio Players. 

 

         He later joined Billy Vera and The Beaters, performing at the Tokyo Music Festival and on the number one single "At This Moment". He performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Choir. He toured Japan and South America with David Soul, and toured four years as the lead guitarist for ShaNaNa. 

 

         Among the covers on the CD are "Sunny Side of the Street," a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944. Other covers include "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Had to Be You," and "Blue Skies." 

 

         The album's title track, "Come Out Swinging," swings to life with the sounds and lyrical images of the '30s, '40s and '50s.

 

         "I wrote the song in 2008 to honor the classic swing music I learned from my parents," said Cumming. "'Come Out Swinging' is a nostalgic look at yesterday. It is presented as an imaginary epiphany, where the singer hears the phone ring and mysteriously hears the sounds of old swing tunes. He gets inspired and preaches the message 'it's time to play' to his listeners."

 

         Hit songwriter and author Jason Blume says the project "offers a refreshing blend of original and traditional swing tunes that are both fun and exhilarating."

 

         Since moving to Nashville in 1988, he has performed and/or recorded with artists such as K.T. Oslin, Cleve Francis, and the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles.

 

         For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new album, "Come Out Swinging," visit http://www.BryanCumming.com. 

 

Artist/Educator Marc Burnett to Exhibit Watercolor Paintings at Motlow Smyrna on Feb. 25

         SMYRNA -- Visual artist/educator Marc Burnett of Cookeville will visit Motlow Smyrna on Feb. 25 (Tuesday) to present an exhibition of his original watercolor paintings. 

         Burnett will present his artwork as part of the Motlow State Community College’s celebration of African-American History Month. Students, faculty, administrators and staff can meet the artist and see his paintings from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Building 3 community space.

         A native of Alcoa, Tennessee, and a 1977 graduate of Alcoa High School, Burnett has served as vice president for Student Affairs at Tennessee Technological University since March 1992. 

Marc Burnett (courtesy of The Crossville Chronicle)

         In the Spring of 1999, Burnett struggled to recover from a near-fatal automobile accident. That’s when two Tennessee Tech colleagues gave him his first watercolor painting set. He later asked his wife, Tamelyn, to buy postcards that were specifically designed for watercolor painting. It opened up a floodgate of creativity. He could not stop painting.

         “I started to feel less stressed, less worried, less agitated,” Burnett recently told a reporter on the popular PBS-TV program “Tennessee Crossroads.” “Agitation was the major thing. You go from doing everything to doing nothing. I just had to find another outlet.”

"Strawberries," a watercolor painting by Marc Burnett

         Burnett is the second person to hold the Student Affairs position at Tennessee Tech since its creation in 1982. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Journalism, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, and an Ed.S. degree in Administration & Supervision.

         He also has served as the pastor of Colonial View Baptist Church in Cookeville for the past four years. He has been married to Tamelyn for 36 years. They have two children, Mario, 34, and Bianca, 30.

Jazz-Americana Artist and Recording Engineer Bryan Cumming to Kick Off Spring 'Famous Communicator Speakers Series" on Feb. 27.

By Chuck Whiting

Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief

         SMYRNA -- Bryan Cumming, an acclaimed jazz-Americana artist and member of the Grammy-nominated group The WannaBeatles, will speak from 12:30-1:30 Feb. 27 (Thursday) as part of Motlow Smyrna's "Famous Communicator Speakers Series."

         The musician will share his fascinating story in SM 332 (Smyrna Building 3) with photos, videos and live music demonstrations. Admission is open to all members of the Motlow family. Other upcoming "Famous Communicator" speakers this spring are hit recording artist/speaker Joyce Rouse (March 19) and internationally acclaimed visual artist Camille Engel (April - TBA).

         Cumming, who sings and plays guitar, sax and cornet, has recorded with popular acts such as Al Jarreau and The Pointer Sisters. He has released several solo CDs. His album "Come Out Swinging" pays tribute to the classic songs and legendary jazz artists of the Silent Generation.  

         In 2009, he and three fellow members of The WannaBeatles walked the Red Carpet in Hollywood after receiving a Grammy nomination for the CD "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond." Cumming also produces and records artists at Studio 23 Nashville.

         "Come Out Swinging" celebrates the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, and Irving Berlin. The album, which was recorded at Java Jive Studio in Nashville, features Kelli Cox on keyboards, Adam Mormolstein on drums, and John Vogt on bass.

         "I grew up listening to the music my father loved, including recordings by jazz artists such as Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller," he said. "As my music career has developed, I've found myself gravitating toward swing. It has a life-affirming tempo that expresses optimism, enthusiasm and energy. I hope my new album will inspire motion, inviting dancers to sway together, bounce, and enjoy the moment, just like in my daddy's day."

         A Georgia native, Bryan Cumming grew up in a musical family playing Dixieland and classic jazz and singing harmony on Beatles songs. After serving a year in the U.S. Army playing saxophone, he toured and recorded with Martin Mull. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976, playing sax on sessions with artists such as Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur, Al Hirt, and The Ohio Players. 

         He later joined Billy Vera and The Beaters, performing at the Tokyo Music Festival and on the number one single "At This Moment". He performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Choir. He toured Japan and South America with David Soul, and toured four years as the lead guitarist for ShaNaNa. 

         Among the covers on the CD are "Sunny Side of the Street," a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944. Other covers include "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Had to Be You," and "Blue Skies." 

         The album's title track, "Come Out Swinging," swings to life with the sounds and lyrical images of the '30s, '40s and '50s.

         "I wrote the song in 2008 to honor the classic swing music I learned from my parents," said Cumming. "'Come Out Swinging' is a nostalgic look at yesterday. It is presented as an imaginary epiphany, where the singer hears the phone ring and mysteriously hears the sounds of old swing tunes. He gets inspired and preaches the message 'it's time to play' to his listeners."

         Hit songwriter and author Jason Blume says the project "offers a refreshing blend of original and traditional swing tunes that are both fun and exhilarating."

         Since moving to Nashville in 1988, he has performed and/or recorded with artists such as K.T. Oslin, Cleve Francis, and the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles.

         For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new album, "Come Out Swinging," visit http://www.BryanCumming.com. 

Photo: Learning from a Communications Pro

        SMYRNA – Mass Communications students gather to ask questions after a talk by arts entrepreneur Valerie Connelly (center) on Oct. 10. Connelly kicked off the autumn “Famous Communicator Speakers Series” with the presentation, “Become an Entrepreneurial Communication Wizard.” Receiving advice from Connelly were students (from left) Hayley Allen, Kailen Fox, Trey McDonald, Jacob Stevens, Cedric McCarroll, Trevarius Johnson, and Lee Bebout. (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Celebrating Our Students

By Ramona Shelton

Motlow Buzz Managing Editor

            SMYRNA -- One of the phrases spoken time and time again at Motlow State Community College is “student success,” but success is not simply calculated by the number of points accrued in a class or making it to the finish line. Success also includes everything that students participate in while they are here. The Smyrna Campus’ Celebration event was designed to honor those extra successes, the ones in which students excel above and beyond the classroom.

            Celebration 2019 was the third incarnation of this event, and each year it gets bigger and bigger as we have more students to celebrate. Our club officers, student ambassadors, peer tutors, and other extra-curricular participants were invited to attend the Celebration 2019 ceremony so that we could have the chance to celebrate them.

            This year’s attendees included:

            * Abby Mire - 2019 Honors Mentor and Writing Center Tutor

            * Isam Alshehabi - 2019 Psi Beta Treasurer

            * Megan Williams - 2019 History Club Secretary

            * Lucas Lanius - 2019 History Club President

            * Jazzmin Mitchell - 2019 Student Ambassador, 2019 Phi Theta Kappa Regional Secretary, two-time Celebration honoree, and recipient of the Lipscomb University Transfer Scholarship, one of only eight such given in the entire state. This scholarship will cover Jazzmin’s entire bachelor’s degree in social work!

            New to Celebration 2019 is the addition of Spotlight Student recognitions. Faculty members were asked to submit the names of students from their classes who stood out to them and deserved a moment in the spotlight. In addition, nominating faculty were asked to tell us why they believed this student was so outstanding.

            Spotlight Students attending the Celebration event (and the nominating faculty’s description of them) were

            * Mary Dawoud - Mary is the embodiment of what we love to see in our students. She is a non-traditional student carrying a large load of classes and balancing that out with being a wife and mother. In the past year, she has never missed a day or even been late. She completes assignments as early as possible to give herself the time to do them right. If there is an opportunity for extra credit, she is first in line to take advantage of it even though she never needs it. This is a woman who is an inspiration to other students!

            * Sarah Abdelmalak - Sarah is an amazing student. She works tirelessly to understand the concepts covered in class and lab. Sarah wants to understand what she is learning not just what is going to be on the test. She asks thoughtful questions and actually reads the text book! I am very impressed with Sarah since English is not her first language and she has only been in the United States for three years. She is more dedicated and works harder than most students.

            * Brittanny McCoy - I have Brittanny McCoy in my Fundamentals of Communication class, and she is truly a stand-out student!  All of her speeches are thoroughly planned out, extremely insightful and well executed. She puts 100 percent of her efforts into everything she does. I wholeheartedly recommend her for nomination as a Spotlight Student!

            * Alex Smith - Alex is one of the best students that I have ever had in class. He is tremendously thoughtful and engaging. He works hard to make connections between not just the past and present but in how things in history effect each other.

            I know that Alex plans to go on to graduate school and teach one of these days. I have no doubt that in a few years, he will be right back at Motlow Smyrna as an instructor rather than a student.

            Joshua McGee - Joshua is a standout student. He is currently enrolled in two of my classes. Joshua is a good listener in class but so much more! He participates in class discussions and many times provides the “spark” to those discussions. Joshua has proven himself to be a true leader in the classroom.

            These worthy honorees are only a few of the amazing students we have here at the Motlow Smyrna Campus. Plans are already being made for Celebration 2020, so if you want more info on that, please email Ramona Shelton at rshelton@mscc.edu.

Middle Tennessee Bargain Shopping Deals

By David Heath

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer 

     Are you looking to save that hard-earned cash in Murfreesboro? Shopping has become quite expensive. Luckily, I know where to find great deals to help keep more money in your wallet!

     Finding a great deal in Murfreesboro can be quite challenging in today’s economy, mostly because it is one of the fastest growing cities in all of America. However, that also means there are plenty of new shops to find some amazing deals, especially during the summer and spring seasons when winter clothing and last year's summer clothes are marked down significantly.

     I have lived in Murfreesboro for 20 years. During that time, I’ve had the opportunity to discover a host of discount shops and thrift stores. These are a few of my favorites.

Bargain Hunt:

     There are currently two Bargain Hunt stores in Murfreesboro. Each sells different items, so I’d recommend visiting both stores to find the deals you’re most interested in! Bargain Hunt sells a wide range of goods, including food, clothes, CD’s, and even electronic equipment for a great price. Bargain Hunt is also an exceptional place to find gaming equipment. I have found PS4 and Xbox One headsets in Bargain hunt for extremely low prices with decent to good quality.

     When my gaming equipment gives out over time, I can visit Bargain Hunt for a cheap and reliable replacement until the next pay day. One Bargain Hunt is located at 1960 Old Fort Parkway; it has become more popular in recent years. The other location is at 1114 Mercury Blvd. For more information about Bargain Hunt, visit their website at www.bargainhunt.com.

Dirt Cheap:

     Dirt Cheap offers a variety of goods like Bargain Hunt. However, it focuses more on clothes and non-essential foods and snacks. The store offers a limited supply of electronics at a much lower price than at Bargain Hunt including speakers, electric fans, and grooming equipment that require electric power.

     Dirt Cheap also offers a much larger selection of all types of clothing. Whenever I am in need of a new pair of sweatpants, or a nice and casual-appearing shirt, Dirt Cheap is always my go-to for comfortable and inexpensive products.

     Dirt Cheap typically will not carry many name-brand clothing items, and mostly centers itself around affordable and reliable products. However, if you enjoy Harley Davidson clothing, Dirt Cheap typically has a variety of quality Harley Davidson shirts for under $10. These would cost anywhere from $35-$40 in an official Harley Davidson store.

     There is currently only one Dirt Cheap location in Murfreesboro. It is located at 902 Mercury Blvd. If you live or work in Smyrna, you can visit the Dirt Cheap location at 565 S. Lowry St.

     For more information, visit their website at ilovedirtcheap.com.

Fred’s:

     Fred’s Discount Store is better known than Dirt Cheap or Bargain Hunt. It offers more mainstream products that may be advertised on television or sold in other popular retail shops. Out of all three discounted stores, Fred’s Discount Store has by far the largest selection of inventory. The major upside to Fred’s is that the store offers a large variety of off brand-clothing, snacks and electronics at a very low price.

     Fred’s also sells name-brand home essentials at an extremely low price, including puppy pads, diapers, dog food, and even lawnmowers. I recently became the owner of a pet rabbit, and finding inexpensive bedding, feed, and litter can be quite the challenge. I can vouch that Fred’s by far has the widest selection for animal needs, such as feed and litter for multiple animal types, collars and leashes, and even toys for your pets. It has become a personal favorite of mine. The store is located at 1664 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

     You can visit their website at fredsinc.com for more information.

Our Thrift Store:

     Our Thrift Store is an independently owned thrift store that provides special opportunities to disabled individuals. Although the selection here is limited more than the three other stores on this list, I believe this store is important because it is prideful about their passion to help those with special needs.

     Almost all of their employees have a form of disability, and 100 percent of the revenue goes into the GEAR foundation. This allows Our Thrift Store to hire new employees and expand in the future, and gives their employees an opportunity to move on to higher paying jobs.

     Our Thrift Store specializes in marked down “off” and “on” brand clothing, books and home appliances. There is also a small section of CD’s, games and home appliances such as vacuums and plungers, etc.

     The customer service within Our Thrift Store is nothing short of exceptional each and every time. The atmosphere within the store is unique, and unlike the atmosphere in a chain market or large retailer-every employee enjoys building relationships with their customers. This provides a community like place to shop and congregate.

     Even though this store has a much smaller market to select from. I have found shirts made from Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and even purses from Coco Chanel all under $20 each. I do visit this store much less often than the others on this list, simply because the store is located in Franklin, Tennessee. I strongly recommend this store if you have time to make the trip and spend quality time searching for the deals the store is sure to have.

     For more information on Our Thrift Store, their mission as a company, and the Gear Foundation, visit their website at http://www.ourthriftstore.org/.

     In today’s economy, finding deals on the brands you love, or even finding deals for needed items such as home appliances is becoming more important every year. Middle Tennessee has a large selection of discounted and thrift stores to choose from, and choosing the best and most affordable stores can become challenging with such a large selection. I hope with this article, narrowing down which stores to visit on your days off to shop has become a much easier process!

Concrete: Beyond The Foundation

By Sterling Stout

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

     We walk and drive on concrete every day, but most people don’t notice how concrete impacts other aspects of our lives. Concrete is diverse in the way you can mix, treat and apply it. In this article, I will inform you of lesser appreciated or lesser acknowledged ways that concrete has changed the lives of many. Whether it be through entertainment, safety or expression. 

     There are the basic uses for concrete that include sidewalks, building foundation, and general construction. We’ve all probably seen some form of concrete, and we could all agree: it’s not too exiting or interesting. It just seems very boring and bland. I mean, it hasn’t really been made to be something flashy or overly intriguing.

     However, if you take a moment to look at concrete through a wider lens, you might just be impressed with the diversity of ways it can be implemented beyond just a foundation. I’ve experienced concrete in an array of different ways throughout my life. I’ve visited cities and viewed the construction of anti-homeless, concrete spikes. I’m an aspiring artist and have experimented with concrete as an art medium. I have been to many concrete skate parks, local and widely known. I have developed a new understanding and appreciation of concrete for what it is and what can be done with it. I’ve seen how it can change lives, and I hope to provide you with a new view of how concrete has affected many.

Skate Parks: More than a Slab:

     Skateparks are an amazing example of how concrete can be used as a foundation and a main attraction. Not only are these places popular all around the world, but every single one of them is unique. Due to the massive sizes of the skateparks and all of the “ramps” and “bowls,” the molds are specifically made for the individual parks. The amount of time that it takes to create these parks is clearly trumped by the longstanding joy it provides to the people that gravitate to them. These parks have given a place for avid skateboarders to indulge in their hobby, away from the streets and to their fullest potential. This goes to show how concrete, while still in its most basic form, can be used to bring joy to a community.

     I have personally been to “Two Rivers Skatepark” in Nashville, Tennessee. In a bustling city such as Nashville, it’s great to see that there is a concrete oasis for BMXers, roller bladders, and skate boarders alike. The people there love to enjoy their passions of skate boarding while also being off the streets in an exciting, unnatural skating environment. You can see images of the skate park and others at https://www.concretedisciples.com/skatepark-directory .


Concrete: Providing Safety to Many:

     If you have ever seen those little pyramid-looking things under an overpass, then you’ve witnessed another abstract use of concrete. In many large cities and walking trails, you will see the incorporation of concrete spikes incorporated in lesser-seen areas of the architecture. These usually are observed under bridges, on the edges of some park sidewalks, and on some concrete benches. These are to deter homeless people from sleeping or hanging around those areas as the spikes are very uncomfortable and almost impossible to maneuver around. This is a way that concrete is being used abstractly to keep the citizens safe from homeless people that might be lurking under a bridge or sleeping on a bench. You can see some of these at http://www.chinahush.com/2012/07/05/building-cement-cones-under-highway-bridge-to-drive-out-homeless/


Art: Conveying Feeling Through Concrete:

     One of my personal favorite uses for concrete, beyond the foundation, is art. So much can be done with concrete and one person to truly prove that is Henry Moore. He made many pieces of art throughout his life but made all of his concrete pieces between 1926 and 1934. He began to sculpt using concrete along side stone and wood. He took a liking to this new medium as it was very cheap at the time, and he was short on money. Not to mention, new buildings were being built, and he was hoping to get commissioned to do pieces that could be built as part of the structures. He very much enjoyed the different ways it could be shaped. It could be poured into a cast, molded when soft, and carved when solid. You can even add dyes into it to change its pigment, and incorporate it into or onto other items.

     Henry Moore’s largest concrete piece is “Reclining Figure.” It depicts a woman lying on a concrete slab on her right arm and her left leg upright. The overall flow to the piece gives a strong sense of stability and balance. When creating the sculpture, he would add pigments at random to the still-wet concrete and not mix them uniform. The sections of red, brown and black pigments gave the end result a slightly more “stone-like” appearance. He had given the sculpture an internal metal framework to give it more support, but it can not be seen in the finished piece. The sculpture currently resides at the Saint Louis Art Museum. You can see more at https://www.slam.org/blog/moores-reclining-figure-returns-to-the-galleries/


     These are just a few different ways in which concrete can be used besides in just construction. It can be used to keep skaters off the streets and in a fun environment. It can be used to keep the citizens of a city safe from the homeless population scattered about. It can be used in art to convey emotion, ideas, viewpoint and just be a general outlet for artistic passion. Honestly, it seems like today concrete just keeps becoming more advanced in the ways it’s manufactured, the ways it can be applied in construction, and even the ways it can be a part of our everyday lives. I am personally very exited to see what the future holds for concrete and what we have in store for it.