SWIFT CURRENT: Mark your calendars. The well-known Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction presented by S3 Enterprises is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Tickets will be available for purchase from Great Plains College as of January 9, 2017.
The event, which is celebrating its fifth year, promises to take metal art to the next level. The theme is “Old Becomes New.”A replicated antique gas pump and a 1950’s Dodge car converted into a couch and entertainment system are a few of the big-ticket items up for bid.
The first Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction was orchestrated in 2012 by Jared McKenzie, Great Plains College welding instructor, to showcase student achievements to the local community and raise money for scholarships and welding equipment. Since McKenzie joined the college in 2008, a number of Great Plains College welding alumni and McKenzie have received local, provincial and national recognition and accolades.
This past year, McKenzie accepted the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Gold Award for Teaching Excellence. The award honours an individual faculty member who exhibits consistent excellence in teaching and who has had a significant impact on the personal and academic growth of students. Further national recognition of McKenzie and the Welding program was received when the Carhartts & Caviar event was featured in Macleans online.
“Each year this auction is an opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship and artistry that can be captured through welding,” said McKenzie. “Our students, program alumni and local companies are all diligently working to finish the pieces and are looking forward to showcasing their work at the auction. It really has become a community-wide event.”
Early bird tickets are available from January 9, to February 17, 2017, for $35. As of February 18, 2017, they can be purchased for $45.
“Not only is it a fun evening of food and drink, but this event really helps us raise the profile of the college’s Welding program and funds to continue enriching the program for all of our students,” said McKenzie.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the great support of regional businesses, the title sponsor, S3 Enterprises, and the food, beverage and hospitality sponsors; Acklands Grainger, Honey Bee Manufacturing, City of Swift Current and Black Bridge Brewery. To date, Metal Art and Program sponsors include; Batco-REM, Diamond Energy, Living Sky Casino, Wheatland Machine, Anderson & Company, Small Stuff Upholstery, PDQ Autobody, New Edge Laser Cutting, ALCOL Enterprises and Safe T Storage, Chad Hittel, Ponderosa Forge and Auto-Thrill Ltd.
Additional donations from Overtime Communications, MacMor and 24-7 Self Storage will all help take the 5th Annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction to the next level of excellence.
Sneak peeks of this year’s auction pieces will be updated on the Great Plains College Facebook page and their Twitter feed (@gpcollege) as they are completed.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Elizabeth Heatcoat – Communications Coordinator
Phone: (306) 778-5498
Cell: (306) 628-7445
Email: elizabethh@greatplainscollege.ca