Community colleges are missing out on a very good thing - or the students are. Those taking a 2-year degree program often have an art requirement, and while some might take pottery, drawing, or music, many take the jewelry / metalsmithing classes.
Once the facilities are available, they are also open for community education, meaning those who are not in a degree program can take the classes for personal enrichment, often in the evening. That has the added benefit of people becoming ‘regulars’ and creating a small community like Orchid, except you get to work beside one another. After a while some do casting, one chasing / repousse’, one mokume gane…it can become a very rich environment. It is a shame similar programs are not more common.
I hope RCC finds a new instructor so the program can continue.
Neil A