PAC's Phi Theta Kappa

Thank you to Elsa Henderson for providing the write-up below:

Every two years Phi Theta Kappa International develops and initiates an Honors Study Topic. The current topic is The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences.

According to the Phi Theta Kappa International website, the Honors Study Topic “provides avenues for honors students to enrich their scholarly endeavors with the interdisciplinary exploration of a timely topic and then apply their knowledge as servant leaders in the college and the community.”

With this in mind the Palo Alto College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa chose to start work on a project that incorporates multiple aspects of the topic. Chapter officer Joaquin Sandoval has worked closely with Viva Verde on the campus recycling program, so the chapter decided to highlight the environmental aspect of The Paradox of Affluence and its impact on the Fine Arts. Art Major and Phi Theta Kappa chapter officer Elsa Henderson; the creative force behind the art work, put together and led a team to develop a sculpture made out of recyclable plastic bottles. One of the goals of the project was to convey a message of unity among the Palo Alto student body, and faculty by drawing several student organizations and faculty members into the project.

With the help of members of the Alpha Pi Iota chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, members of the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon, Palo Alto Art Students, and the support of Dr. Alba DeLeon, Mark Hogenson, Cakky Brawley, and Joan Osborne, there is now a thought provoking sculpture in the Performing Arts Building on display in the “Women and Their Environment” exhibition.

The laborious process of collecting and prepping bottles actually began last semester. After a series of design committee meetings, much appreciated advisement from Cakky Brawley, and a lot of hard work, the sculpture began to take form.

According to Henderson “Several students volunteered their time toward completion of this project, putting in long hours before, after, and in between classes and work schedules.” The bottles had to be washed, dried, and have labels peeled off. The design had to appear to flow so several ideas were kicked around concerning assembly.

After Dr. DeLeon’s invitation to exhibit the work, the volunteers were motivated and inspired by the opportunity to display a work in progress and to give special recognition to the women in our environment. The sculpture on display all month long is designed to provoke thought about our society’s impact on the environment we live in. Not just the ecology, but the arts, the economics, the geography, and the people. We wanted every viewer to look at the design and come away with a unique perspective on the contradictions inherent in an affluent society. Phase II and Phase III of this project will be a study on the impact of plastics on our total environment, and a video or pictorial documentary.