|
Melvin D. Shivvers ha
s quite the long list of accomplishments. He is an architect, woodworker, designer, sculpture, watercolorist, and teacher. He has spent his life creating and teaching about architecture and the correlation to mathematics.
How it all began
Since the age of 5 or 6 Mel began tearing apart old fruit crates and creating his own toys with the help of small tools. His mind was consistently wondering, “What can I make next?.” From there he went on to become trained as an architect and has used architecture for 44 years as his avenue for furniture designs, sculpture, watercolors, pencil drawing, jewelry designs, and teaching.
“I first develop a problem or situation. Exploring the many possible solutions to a problem or situation is my inspiration for creativity. However there are always the occurrences where ideas just become visualized in my mind without creating a problem or situation.”
Mel has been affiliated with Metro Arts for over 20 years in education programs and exhibiting at various events. Each year Mel shares his talent, knowledge, and passion for architecture and mathematics with roughly 200 students in the Metro Arts Education on Location After-School program. He also works in the classroom with teachers all over the Metro area through Metro Arts Education on Location: Day.
Mel focuses much of his student workshops on aligning to area curriculum. He understands the importance of creating well-rounded students and artists so he uses architecture as a tool to teach students about other subjects. In his workshops he discusses the connection of architecture to geometric figures, lines, and shapes. He challenges students to use shapes to solve various math equations and problems. Each workshop is interactive and allows students a chance to use wood shapes to think out problems and come up with solutions.
“The most rewarding part of my workshops in the past 37 years is the children,” confesses Mel. “The looks on their faces when they bring their project and show it to me and say, ‘Look mister at what I made,’ and then go on to describe their project.” Mel remembers his most memorable experience in a workshop when a student said he wanted to pick out materials to create something for his dad. After the student completed his project he showed it to Mel stating, “I wanted a long time to tell you I want to be what you (architect) are.”
Next up for Mel he will be a guest presenter at The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He will be leading 2 sessions: An Adventure in Creativity, Architecture Design and The Shapes of Mathematics; Creative Problem Solving With the Shapes of Mathematics.
His Life in Retrospect
Mel Shivvers was born in the town of Pleasantville, IA where he spent his childhood growing up until attending the University of Oklahoma. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1963. He and his wife Linda moved to Des Moines and raised a son, Eric, following graduation. Mel has spent his life creating and teaching others about the wonder and art of architecture. He has  been covered numerous times by print and television to feature his one-man exhibitions, competitive exhibitions, art fair demonstrations, and general creating. He proudly holds a Patent on a modular folding floor chair, which can also serve as a table. He has been a guest artist for fine arts days, Area 6 Education Agency, British Primary School in Denver, Creative Discovery Museum in Tennessee, AEA Art Attack, Very Special Arts, Glenwood Hospital, Metro Arts Education on Location, Des Moines Art Center, and art festivals. Mel also served as President of the Polk County Heritage Gallery Advisory Board.
For more information please contact Mel at:
Melvins D. Shivvers, Architect
Children’s Creative Activities
645 – 46th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
515-277-5082
|