We return with this and several upcoming reports to the visit of Kansas City Art Institute students in January and the students intensive program [see previous reports on 1/6, 1/11 and 1/16 2012].

The 80 foot long "test" Greenhouse tunnel is a temporary research structure constructed by the students from Kansas City Art Institute as part of a Science unit of study while at Arcosanti.

It was instrumented to collect and monitor temperature gradient data to be used to quantify thermal performance of the greenhouse acting as both a hot air collector for space heating needs and a water collector to provide domestic hot water.

These empirical data, measuring the gradient and potential for agricultural micro-climates, will contribute to the design and implementation of the several Arcosanti greenhouse projects planned or currently under way.

The photos were taken during a photographic field workshop with students from Kansas City Art Institute in the west fork of Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona Arizona, Jan. 10, 2012.

The students are visiting Arcosanti for a two week intensive program in art and science.

Charles Ferguson, a field geologist with USGS gave spontaneous lectures on the Geology of the Canyon.

The exercise was to take no more than 36 photographs (equivalent of one roll of film- prior to the digital era).

Aimee Madsen, photographer and film maker at Cosanti, put together the idea for this field photo exercise in Oak Creek Canyon.

Each photo was to be carefully selected and framed, paying special attention to the changing and often challenging lighting conditions.

Alumnus Russel Ferguson, now Director of School of the Foundation Year at KCAI, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE.

This continues our report from 1/6/12 about a group of students from KCAI, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE, visiting Arcosanti for a two week intensive program in art and science.

The group is lead by Professor Russel Ferguson, who is an Arcosanti alumnus and now Director of School of the Foundation Year at KCAI, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE.

Participants are:

Sandra Bojanic, Illustration junior;
Oliver Clark, Sculpture sophomore;
Trent Coffin, Animation junior;
Maylynda Eshleman, Photography senior;
Kendell Harbin, Printmaking senior;
Mavet Miller, Ceramics junior;
Andrew Ordonez, Painting junior;
Andrew Ozier, Illustration junior;
Joey Watson, Ceramics sophomore;
Issey Howe, Sculpture sophomore;
Max Newman, Sculpture sophomore;
Molly Ryan, Ceramics sophomore;
Kahil Irving, Ceramics sophomore;
Frederick Voder Bruegge, Painting junior;
Shane Lutsk, Ceramics sophomore;
Will Meipu, Painting junior;
Jules Itzoff, Illustration junior.

The two-week visit is packed with lectures, work sessions and tours.

Activities include:

Daily work sessions, drawing the Ceramics Apse, the Vaults, the East Crescent complex and the Foundry.

'History of siltcasting and construction at Arcosanti from 1970 until 1974' with Cosanti Foundation instructor Roger Tomalty.

Riparian tour of the Agua Fria riverbed with Roger Tomalty.

Also included are:

Three sessions in the Soleri Archives to view original materials and scroll drawings. Here is the group with Soleri Archive photographer David DeGomez, who is explaining his set-up and method.

'Greenhouse research' presentation with Roger Tomalty.

A day trip to Oak Creek Canyon.

Several meetings with Paolo Soleri.

Participation in an Erosion Control workshop.

A talk with new Cosanti Foundation President Jeff Stein.

Tour and supper and a lecture at Taliesin West.

Tour of the Dome House.

Visit to Cosanti.

This report continues.

AGUA FRIA WATERSHED EROSION CONTROL WORKSHOP

Free hands-on training along the Agua Fria River at Arcosanti

Friday, January 13, 2012
9 am to 1 pm
with lunch provided

Arcosanti, Arizona

The Cosanti Foundation and the Arcosanti Project, supported by an ADEQ Water Quality Improvement Grant, are hosting this educational “hands on” training in low cost, effective, best management practices to reduce erosion. Learn techniques like rock dams and rock and brush structures to deal with head cuts, stream bank stabilization and other run-off issues.

Protect your property and reduce sediment to streams and rivers. Partners include the Upper Agua Fria Watershed Partnership, Friends of the Agua Fria National Monument, Sonoran Audubon and National Audubon’s Together Green Grant, NRCS.

Technical support is provided by Natural Channel Design of Flagstaff.

For more information and to reserve a spot contact: Mary Hoadley, 928-632-6212 or maryhoadley@arcosanti.org

Alumnus Russel Ferguson, now Director of School of the Foundation Year at KCAI, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE, arrived at the beginning of the week with a group of 17 students.

The students will spend two weeks of intensive sessions in art and science.

Yesterday was the first meeting with Paolo Soleri.

We will continue this report with more of the students activities.