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Civics Education: So, You Think You Know Your Government?
Distinguished Federal and State Judges and Practitioners Lead the 8-Week Noncredit Program Exploring Crucial Aspects of U.S. Government Bucks County Community College is excited to again offer the noncredit program, "Civics Education: So, You Think You Know Your Government?". This popular 8-week course offers participants a unique opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution, the court system, immigration, criminal and civil cases, and various other aspects of our government that every informed citizen should be familiar with.
Led by a rotation of distinguished federal and state judges and practitioners, the weekly classes promise an accessible, engaging, and interactive forum. Participants will delve into specialized fields of the court system, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the nation's legal framework.
The program will take place on Wednesday evenings, 6–7:15 p.m., from March 26 to May 14 at the College’s Newtown Campus (275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa.). Registration is limited to 100 participants, and the fee for the entire 8-week program is $50. Please note that financial aid cannot be used for this program.
To register and view the complete schedule and curriculum, please visit the Civics Education program. For more information, please email coned@bucks.edu or call 215-968-8409.
This course is made possible through the generous support of a grant from the Bucks County Bar Foundation.
BCCC Hosts "A Nakashima Morning" - A Celebration of Art, Literature, and Legacy
Bucks County Community College invites the community to a special event, A Nakashima Morning, taking place on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Orangery on the Newtown Campus. This engaging program, sponsored by the Volta Center for Writing Arts and Bucks County Community College Libraries, is designed for all ages, offering families and community members an opportunity to explore the artistry and philosophy of the renowned woodworker George Nakashima through storytelling, poetry, and hands-on activities.
The event will feature a reading of the children’s book Listening to Trees: George Nakashima, Woodworker by its author, Holly Thompson. Attendees will have the unique chance to engage in a discussion with Thompson, followed by an interactive haiku and art-making session, allowing participants to creatively respond to Nakashima’s legacy and appreciation for nature.
Additionally, the event will feature a discussion with Mira Nakashima, daughter of George Nakashima and a distinguished designer in her own right. Mira will share insights into her father’s life, work, and the enduring influence of his craftsmanship in contemporary woodworking and design.
"A Nakashima Morning" is an excellent opportunity for families and individuals to immerse themselves in the intersection of art, literature, and nature, honoring one of Bucks County’s most celebrated artisans.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, email library@bucks.edu.
30th Annual High School Art Exhibition Opens March 19 at Hicks Art Gallery
The Hicks Art Center Gallery, which has showcased rising young artists for more than 60 years, invites the public to the 30th Annual High School Art Exhibition March 19 through April 12 at Bucks County Community College in Newtown.
Art teachers from more than 20 high schools have selected works crafted by their students between May 2024 and March 2025, to be considered for the U.S. Congressional Art Competition Prize. In addition, the works are also in the running for the 30th Annual High School Art Exhibition Awards, all totaling $1,500 in prize money.
“For these young artists, having their works exhibited in the College’s galleries gives them a taste of the professional art world while establishing a sense of collectiveness with their peers,” said Clifford Eberly, exhibitions associate at the Hicks Art Center Gallery. “We hope it inspires them to continue to pursue their creative passion, be it here at Bucks, or elsewhere.”
High school art contests are held in every congressional district each spring. The first-place winning artwork from the Bucks County exhibition will be sent to Washington, D.C., to represent Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District on display in the U.S. Capitol’s Cannon Tunnel for a year. Winners from each district are also published online.
More than 200 artworks in drawing, painting, photography, digital media, ceramics, fibers, sculpture, and furniture showcasing the young artists’ creative talents will fill the galleries and hallways of Hicks Art Center.
A reception and awards ceremony take place Sunday, March 30 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick will present the awards at 1 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
The event is hosted by the College’s School of Arts and Communication, which offers eight associate degree transfer majors and two certificate programs. Bucks County Community College is an accredited institutional member of both the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the National Association of Schools of Music.
The Hicks Art Center Gallery is located on the campus at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa. 18940, where there is ample free parking. During the exhibition from March 19 – April 12, gallery hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon – 4 p.m. Saturday. Follow @bcccartscomm on Instagram.
Victoria Cirillo of Council Rock High School North in Newtown won the Drawing Award for La Gente, a graphite and colored pencil drawing, at last year’s High School Art Exhibition.
BCCC Announces Second Annual 3D Printing Expo
Officials at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) announced the second annual 3D Printing Expo is set to take place March 12-13 in the Linksz Pavilion on the Newtown Campus. This exciting event will bring together local additive manufacturing (AM) industry experts, manufacturers, and enthusiasts to explore the rapidly advancing field of 3D printing and its applications across various sectors.
3D printing enthusiasts and industry professionals at the 2024 3D Printing Expo held at Bucks County Community College.
The 3D Printing Expo is designed to foster collaboration and awareness of AM technology in the tri-state area (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey), offering a unique platform for industry leaders, local companies, and individuals to share knowledge, showcase innovations, and build connections. The event will feature industry and enthusiast talks, trade show booths highlighting AM hardware, software, and services, and a design showcase where individuals and companies can display their projects.
3D printing enthusiasts and industry professionals at the 2024 3D Printing Expo held at Bucks County Community College.
“We’re excited to bring together local AM experts and enthusiasts to explore the ways in which this transformative technology is being used in industries across our region,” said Kyle Davidson of South Jersey Additive Manufacturing, an industry veteran helping to organize this year’s event. “The level of AM adoption and innovation within the tri-state area is rapidly advancing, and this event is a great opportunity to grow awareness and foster local partnerships.”
3D printing enthusiasts and industry professionals at the 2024 3D Printing Expo held at Bucks County Community College.
The expo will include two distinct presentation tracks—one for hobbyists and makers, and another for professionals in the additive manufacturing industry. Attendees will have the chance to engage with experts, learn from cutting-edge presentations, and network with local resources to help them along their journey of AM adoption.
Ticket Information:
General Admission: $10 per day
Students & Faculty: $5 per day
Children (under 12): Free
The 3D Printing Expo highlights BCCC’s commitment to bridge the gap between academia and industry. By offering a centralized space for individuals and companies to connect, the event provides a unique opportunity to learn about AM technology and explore how it can drive innovation and business growth.
The event will be held in BCCC’s Linksz Pavilion, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA. For more information on how to join or participate in the event, visit the 3D Printing Expo website or contact Director of Personal and Professional Development Stan Timek at stanley.timek@bucks.edu.
BCCC Floral Design Exhibit in Philadelphia Flower Show
For the first time in the program’s history, an exhibition crafted by floral design students at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) will be featured in this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show, marking a significant milestone for the program and its students. The exhibition, titled "Florists of the Future," will take visitors on a journey to the year 3025, where flowers and design transcend tradition and push the boundaries of what is possible.
The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show theme, "Gardens of Tomorrow," invites exhibitors to explore the future of gardening, design, and sustainability. In alignment with this forward-thinking theme, BCCC’s "Florists of the Future" exhibit will showcase the innovative ideas and groundbreaking concepts of the next generation of floral designers. Approximately 40 students and alumni from BCCC’s Floral Design Program as well as the program’s four instructors have collaborated to create avant-garde floral compositions that reimagine the future of floristry.
The students explored ideas such as breeding floral materials for futuristic aesthetics, developing revolutionary mechanics to enhance designs, and integrating sustainability into every aspect of floristry. Their work also delves into how flowers might be grown, transported, and transformed into striking, imaginative structures, bringing the “Gardens of Tomorrow” theme to life through floral artistry.
“The students have poured their creativity and expertise into this project, and it’s truly a reflection of their visionary ideas about how floristry will evolve in the future,” said Renee Tucci, floral design instructor at Bucks County Community College and president-elect of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). “While this has been a team effort, I want to especially acknowledge the design guidance and leadership provided by my fellow instructors, including Ron Mulray, whose expertise has been instrumental in shaping the students' work. We’re incredibly excited to be a part of such an iconic event and to share our work with flower lovers and industry professionals from across the region.”
Floral Design Program students, alumni, and instructors from Bucks County Community College working on the College’s first-ever exhibit in the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show at Philadelphia Convention Center on Thursday, February 27.
The Philadelphia Flower Show is known for showcasing the next generation of floral artists, and BCCC’s participation in this year’s show is a testament to the talent and ambition of the students who are being trained to become leaders in the floral industry.
The Philadelphia Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world, will take place from Saturday, March 1 to Sunday, March 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. BCCC’s "Florists of the Future" exhibit is not to be missed, offering a glimpse into the bold and imaginative future of floristry, and how floral design can be an integral part of tomorrow’s gardens and consumer experiences.
Additionally, several students and instructors from the program will be featured on the 6ABC show FYI Philly on Saturday, March 1, as part of their Philadelphia Flower Show segment. This special feature will give viewers an inside look at the creative process behind the production and installation of the "Florists of the Future" exhibit.
The BCCC Floral Design Program, which offers both certificate and degree options, is known for providing students with hands-on experience and a solid foundation in the art of floristry. As an Educational Partner with the AIFD, BCCC’s program equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers in event design, floral retail, and more. Students have the opportunity to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) by completing the comprehensive curriculum.
For more information about the Floral Design Program at Bucks County Community College, visit bucks.edu/floraldesign.
Floral Design Program students, alumni, and instructors from Bucks County Community College working on the College’s first-ever exhibit in the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show at Philadelphia Convention Center on Thursday, February 27.
Recovery & Mental Health Resource Fair Set for March 8
With one in four Americans directly affected by addiction, the Collegiate Recovery Program at Bucks County Community College invites the public to the second annual Recovery & Mental Health Community Resource Fair on Saturday, March 8.
The free event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Linksz Pavilion on the Newtown Campus, features representatives from more than 50 organizations from Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. They will share information about:
collegiate recovery programs
substance use disorder & recovery
harm reduction
mental health
suicide
grief
eating disorders
domestic violence
sexual health & wellness
At noon, the keynote speaker will be Brandon Novak, a professional skateboarder who overcame 20 years of heroin addiction. First discovered by Tony Hawk, Novak rose to fame on the hit MTV show “Viva la Bam” and the “Jackass” movies. After his recovery, he wrote the best-selling memoir “Dreamseller,” and now travels the country to bring awareness and education to youth across the nation. His talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
“The fair provides the opportunity to bridge gaps in awareness, support, and treatment for our college community and for the public,” noted Emily Sexton, the College’s Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator. “This event is intended to foster a community of hope and reduce stigma so that no one is alone in their journey.”
Participating organizations include:
Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission
Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center
NAMI Bucks County/National Alliance on Mental Illness
SEAS/Siblings Ending Addiction Stigma
BCOC/Bucks County Opportunity Council
AIM/Angels in Motion
Be a Part of the Conversation
Child and Family Focus
Abbey's Bakery: Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention
The Rainbow Room/Planned Parenthood Keystone
For the full list of participating organizations, please visit the Collegiate Recovery Program. Light refreshments will also be available.
The event, made possible through Bucks County Opioid Settlement Funds, takes place at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa., 18940. The Linksz Pavilion is No. 14 on the Campus Map. For more information, contact collegiaterecovery@bucks.edu.
The Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Bucks County Community College supports students in recovery and students affected by someone else's addiction. The program is partially funded by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and Bucks County Opioid Settlement Funds. The Bucks CRP is a member of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) and adheres to the recommendations and standards established by ARHE.
