Andrews University is home to many clubs, perhaps the most creative of which is the art club. According to club president Brenna Lyons (senior, art), who joined the club’s cabinet as president last year, the AU Art Club has been around for a while, but is now beginning to “actually do stuff” and provide engaging events for interested people to join. This year, the club wants to work on “creating an atmosphere that fosters creativity” and provide a stress-free place for students to express themselves.
The AU Art Club this year is headed by Lyons as president and Jordan Kim as vice president. JJ Nixon (public relations), Kaitlyn Fahey (secretary), Joy Broderick (treasurer), and Jackson Halsey (event coordinator) comprise the rest of the club’s officers. Lyons does most of the planning and manages the club’s profile on Andrews Engage. Nixon handles the club’s Instagram account, and, generally, the whole of the club’s cabinet helps with set up and tear down at events.
According to Lyons, the club this year has several goals: “Consistent events, creating an atmosphere that fosters creativity, coming up with new creative ideas, and making [the] art club more like other clubs” while keeping a $0 membership fee. To this end, the club has hosted a slew of events, including a ceramics painting night, a pottery sale and an open studio night.
Melani Dubon (senior, archeology), a member of the club, attended the open studio night, where art students helped attendees create their own clay pieces in various ways, from slab building to sculpting and throwing on the wheel. Though Dubon told me that she felt like there had been fewer events this year than last year, she clarified that she might have been comparing this semester to all of last year— she said that the club is “just getting started.” Regardless of the number of events the club puts on, Dubon has found its events enjoyable: “I really like it. It's a good opportunity to go hang out, make ceramics and stuff…. It's a good study break to go over and make something, rather than just staring at your laptop.” She also told me she appreciates that the club’s events are free.
The club’s semiannual bonfire is coming up on Nov. 22; the event will feature ornament making and s’mores. Next semester, the club has plans for even more events, including a movie night, Bob Ross painting, a pottery competition and potential collaborations with other clubs. Lyons told me she’s had a “really good” experience with the club, and likes seeing people at the events enjoy their time creating. If you’re looking for opportunities to relieve some school stress, consider coming to the Art Club’s future events! Information for upcoming events can be found on the club’s Instagram page or on Andrews Engage.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.