Chrysler's Autoworkers: They have Art!

[rickaren]

Chrysler's Autoworkers: They have Art!
by Mike Driehorst
November 1, 2010 7:40 AM



UAW-Chrysler's Artists at Work 2011 Exhibit is currently at the corporate HQ, and will be at UAW-Chrysler Technology Training Center in Warren for a year.The 2010-2011 Artists at Work Exhibition -- the country's only juried art show sponsored by a major corporation and a labor union -- features 85 pieces of art from 39 UAW-represented and non-bargaining unit Chrysler employees. The 39 employees came from 15 Chrysler Group locations.



For the first time, Chrysler Group employees shared the Artists at Work spotlight with children from a Detroit youth center that seeks to meet the needs of disadvantaged kids. The new exhibit includes photographs by students who participate in the Woodbridge Community Youth Center's after-school program.



“We added Youth in Focus to connect this program with the community, and recognize the creativity of young people who may become aspiring artists of the future,” said the UAW’s Keith Mickens, NTC co-director. “We welcome participation by children from the Woodbridge Community Youth Center.” James Donnellon, product enginer at Chrysler Technology Center, earned an honorable mention for his blown glass artwork.


This year's first-place winner was Dennis Sabatowich, a weld inspector at Warren Truck Assembly. The UAW Local 140 member impressed the judges with his thought-provoking metal sculpture that raises awareness of the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing civil war in the Darfur region of western Sudan.



Second place went to Loel Gnadt, an electrician at Warren Stamping and a member of UAW Local 869. His winning entry consisted of a wood-crafted vase, a candy dish and a rounded vessel.



Third place went to Richard Weber, an assembler at Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly, with a unique photograph that provides a panoramic view of downtown Belvidere.



The eight employees who received honorable mentions for 2010-2011 were:

* Michael Cattane, photographer, Chrysler Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., photography
* James Donnellon, product engineer, Chrysler Technology Center, blown glass (see image above)
* Stanford J. Giles, millwright, Kokomo (Ind.) Casting, UAW Local 1166, metal engraving
* Phillip H. Hill, Sr., toolmaker, jig & fixture, Mt. Elliott Tool and Die in Detroit, UAW Local 212, drawingWilliam Czeiszperger, a toolmaker at the Sterling Stamping/UAW Local 1264, submitted a wood-carved Canadian Goose in the exhibit.
* Michael M. Lynch, skilled trades safety trainer, Belvidere Assembly, UAW Local 1268, photography
* Catherine Stoey, photographer, Chrysler Technology Center, UAW Local 412, photography
* Tammie Wilson, human resources assistant, UAW-Chrysler National Training Center in Detroit, photography
* Ghevarghese Yohannan, electrician, Sterling Stamping in Sterling Heights, Mich., UAW Local 1264, wood sculpture



The exhibit, which may be viewed online at UAW-Chrysler National Training Center - UAW-Chrysler.com, is not open to the public.



*Images above, top to bottom:

1. UAW-Chrysler's Artists at Work 2011 Exhibit is currently at the corporate HQ, and will soon move to the UAW-Chrysler Technology Training Center in Warren for a year.
2. James Donnellon, product enginer at Chrysler Technology Center, earned an honorable mention for his blown glass artwork.
3. William Czeiszperger, a toolmaker at the Sterling Stamping/UAW Local 1264, submitted a wood-carved Canadian Goose in the exhibit.