Mesalands offering silversmithing degree

Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari now is offering an associate's degree in cowboy arts/western silversmithing and fabrication.

The cowboy arts/western silversmithing and fabrication degree is designed to teach students the custom designing, fabricating and engraving of bits, spurs, buckles and jewelry. The program provides students with the skills and practice needed to pursue employment as precious metal workers, jewelers, welders and engravers.

Mesalands also is offering a one-year applied science certificate and a one-semester occupational certificate in cowboy arts/western silversmithing and fabrication. The classes offered within the certificate programs are included in the degree. The degree requires additional general education requirements, such as science, math and English classes.

The request for this new degree began with increased enrollment in the other certificate programs. The majority of students pursuing these certificates also showed an interest in having the opportunity to complete a degree.

"There is a huge need for blue-collar workers, and when they complete this degree, they will have a vast array of blue-collar skills," said Eddy Mardis, a Mesalands cowboy arts/western silversmithing and fabrication faculty member. "Students in this program enjoy what they're doing because it's their area of interest, whether they're making bits and spurs, jewelry or belt buckles."

Students in this program can acquire additional skills such as metal inert gas welding, tungsten inert gas welding, shielded metal arc welding and gas welding.

Shyla Curry, a Mesalands student in the program, has created bits and spurs, belt buckles, jewelry and cellphone cases.

"I have direction in life now and a potential career ahead of me. I'm financially independent and financially stable," Curry said.

Mardis said Curry recently was commissioned to develop a belt buckle for the newly elected New Mexico governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Mardis said Curry sells her items online and has been contacted by storeowners to sell some of her items.

"Shyla is artistic and she learned how to channel these skills, to make a living," Mardis said. "This is probably one of the few programs in the world, in which you can pay your way through college, selling what you make."

Students interested in the cowboy arts/western silversmithing and fabrication program at Mesalands Community College should go to mesalands.edu/cowboyarts, or call (575) 461-4413, ext. 158.

Enrollment for the spring semester is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the Great Room in Building A. Classes will begin Jan. 14.