(Left) Rogelio Blas (San Pedro Cajonos, Oaxaca, Mexico) Butterfly, date unknown. Hand-carved and painted wood figurine. Center of Southwest Studies permanent collection, 2008.084.019.

(Right) Bella Bigwater, Kohen Wafer, and Ryaan Kahn, Butterfly, 2025. 3D printed plastic filament.

Colorful, imaginative, and structurally complex, alebrijes offer a unique meeting point between art and engineering. In this hands-on project, students in ENGR 103: Fundamentals of Engineering Graphics (Fall 2025) explored these iconic Mexican forms through digital modeling and design. Working directly with objects from the Center’s collection, students analyzed modular construction, form, and portability, expanding both their technical skills and creative thinking. The result is a playful and insightful exploration of how cultural objects can inspire innovation across disciplines.

Faculty Leads: Benjamin Afflerbach, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics & Engineering, and Christie Chatterley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics & Engineering

Lauren Nelson, Soft Enough to Carve Stone, 2005. Watercolor and ink on paper.

How do we live in relationship with water? In Fall 2025, Fort Lewis College courses engaged in a campus-wide dialogue inspired by SkyWords’ Common Reading Experience, Water Stories. Drawing on works by Kevin Fedarko and Laura Paskus, students reflected on water as a source of life, connection, and responsibility. Through postcard designs, they responded to questions about community, stewardship, and access, using visual language to share personal and collective perspectives. This vibrant display brings together voices from across disciplines, reminding us of water’s essential role in shaping our world.

Faculty Lead: Candace Nadon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English

The Center of Southwest Studies is excited to announce the launch of a new online platform that makes our archival collections more accessible than ever. Researchers, students, and community members can now search finding aids, explore collection descriptions, and identify materials remotely, improving both discovery and access. This enhanced system supports teaching, research, and public engagement while strengthening long-term stewardship of the Center’s archival holdings.

Visit: https://swcenter.lyrasistechnology.org

The Center offers undergraduate students hands-on, résumé-building experience across museum, archives, and library settings, including collections management, archival processing, and exhibition development. While most internships are for academic credit, a limited number of paid positions are available each semester for eligible students. Join us and gain meaningful, professional experience working with the Center’s collections.

After four years as Director of the Center of Southwest Studies, Dr. Cory Pillen will return to full-time teaching in Fort Lewis College’s Department of Art & Design at the end of June.

The Center, therefore, is now hiring its next Director! This position will lead one of Fort Lewis College’s most dynamic academic and cultural resources, supporting student learning, faculty research, and community partnerships while stewarding the Center’s extensive collections.

Application Deadline: April 12, 2026

View the full position description, salary range, and submit an application online:

The Center of Southwest Studies is now accepting proposals for its Teaching Fellows Program, which supports innovative, object-based approaches to teaching and curriculum development. Two fellows will be selected for the 2026–27 academic year, each receiving a $1,500 stipend.

Faculty and educators from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Fellows collaborate with Center staff to develop assignments and projects that engage directly with collections, culminating in public-facing outcomes. Learn more on our website or contact us with questions—we’re happy to connect!

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

Your support makes our exhibits and programming possible, funds collections care, and allows the Center to provide engaging learning opportunities for Fort Lewis College students and the broader community.

Please consider donating today!

Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM or by appointment

For an appointment, please call:

970-247-7126 (Archives) or 970-247-7333 (Gallery/Museum)

Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College