Wacom Experience Center in Portland to Showcase Works of MHCC Game Development Students

On Sunday, June 11, from 4 – 7 p.m., the Wacom Experience Center in Portland will showcase virtual reality (VR) video games, digital artwork, 3-D-printed models, board games, and animated videos and demo reels all created by students in Mt. Hood Community College’s Game Development program.

This marks the second year in a row that the Wacom Center has opened its gallery space to feature the work of MHCC Game Development students. MHCC game design instructor Erika Ruhl worked with Wacom Experience Center Manager Megan Davis to establish the MHCC student showcase event, which is free and open to the public.

“The Experience Center is in the middle of the Pearl District, their products are amazing, it’s a good outlet to the art community, and it’s a fun event for everybody because people can come in and check out the student work and then explore the products,” said Ruhl.

“Plus, this type of event gives our students and MHCC exposure to other creative professionals and firms, and it really ends the degree program on a high note,” she added.

First- and second-year students from nearly every game development class at MHCC, in particular from Special Topics in Emerging Technologies, Game Studio, and Introduction to 3-D Animation, will display their creations on June 11. Ruhl said that gallery visitors can try out the program’s VR headsets and use them on student-created video games. The gallery will also feature board games developed by MHCC students, student-designed models made on 3-D printers, and printed artwork.

The Wacom Experience Center is located on the ground floor of their U.S. Headquarters at 1455 NW Irving Street in Portland. Wacom, a 35-year-old tech company, is best known for their drawing tablets, pen displays and digital ink technology.