Courtesy Photo Brightly colored bike racks, made by Alpena Community College students, will be placed on campus for people to use. The themes of the racks also salute several of the many programs the college offers.

Alpena, MI – What do a sailboat, a car engine, and a theatre mask have in common?

They’re all part of a colorful new addition to Alpena Community College’s campus–custom bike racks designed and created by ACC students and faculty.

The idea first rolled into motion back in 2018 when members of the Association of Lifelong Learners (ALL) met with college staff to brainstorm a unique way to blend art and function.

The goal?

Build artistic bike racks that showcase ACC’s diverse programs while encouraging healthy transportation on campus.

While COVID-19 brought the original project to a screeching halt, it was revived thanks to the determination of Jere Doyle and a group of dedicated faculty and students.

The Fine Arts Department led the charge, creating the initial designs. With input and feedback from staff across departments–including Fine Arts, CAD, Manufacturing, and Welding–the designs were refined and prepared for production. Omni Metalcraft, Besser Company, Magnaloy Coupling & local resident Doug Field donated the steel for the project.

Each of the eight racks celebrates a different ACC program: Concrete Technology, Utility Technology, Manufacturing, Welding, Fine Arts, Theatre, Automotive Repair, and of course, the Association of Lifelong Learners. ALL’s contribution features a whimsical sailboat–a nod to the idea that learning is a lifelong journey.

Once the racks were built, McDonald Brothers Collision generously donated their time and talent to paint the structures, bringing them to life with vibrant color and personality.