McCallie's annual CultureFest included simultaneously on campus heavy metal student musicians, a 1,400-degree aluminum foundry, an international trade summit, a gutted GMC Rally utility van, blacksmiths, a career workshop and 14 student- or teacher-led educational sessions.
On top of that were 11 off-campus community service projects the junior class scattered to tackle.
All this was part of an activity-packed day for the annual Culturefest. Seniors participated in an economic trade summit or led an informative session of a topic about which they are passionate. Sophomores attended a career inventory workshop, and freshmen got a taste of the college guidance process. Both sophomores and juniors also took in sessions which interested them.
Metalfest, the arts segment of Culturefest, was likely the most noticeable aspect of the day’s agenda. Set up outside on the main quad were three metal sculptors, two blacksmiths, two copper sculptors, a furniture maker and the run-down van. Student musicians got loud with heavy metal music in the Hunter Arts Center, and the van was used as a canvas for graffiti painting.
The highlight of Metalfest was the aluminum pouring onto 100 pieces of student art that will form a permanent sculpture for the third floor of the Academic Building.
Lunchtime offered ethnic foods in the dining hall, and the day was cut short by a winter storm that dumped about four inches of snow on Missionary Ridge.
Here is a list of sites impacted by the junior class’ community service work:
Habitat for Humanity
Sunset Rock trail maintenance and landscaping
St. Andrews Center
Chattanooga Nature Center
Chambliss Center
Chambliss Center Thrift Store
Widow’s Harvest
Chickamauga Battlefield
Northside Neighborhood House
Food Bank
Westside Elementary School