The Studio: A Club Dedicated to Art

By Jennifer Chavez

Staff Writer

As a relatively new club on campus, The Studio kickstarted the semester with the Sidewalk Chalk Fest. On Friday, Sept. 13, the sidewalk leading into Hillwood Com-mons was filled with works of art designed by students. “The goal was to represent the Studio, recruit new members, and to spread the joy of art and de-stress from class,” said Emily Ruben, a junior forensic science major and vice president of The Studio.

The Studio is dedicated to students interested in learning about art and showcasing their artistic skills without the pressure of a classroom environment. “We’re an open club to students of any major who love art and just don’t have the time to be an art major,” junior forensic science major and president Cassidy Shankar said. “You don’t even have to be that great in art, it’s just a fun time where you don’t have to stress about anything.”

Shankar developed the idea of The Studio with the help of Ruben and other friends in the summer of 2018. There was only one art club on campus before then, known as the Art League. According to Shankar, the club was exterminated, leaving her no choice but to start a club of her own. Shankar and Ruben, as well as others, put their thoughts into action and established The Studio in the spring 2019 semester. “The E-Board and I started this club mainly for the purpose to de-stress from school and meet others with an interest in art,” Ruben said.

The club participated in events in the spring, such as Cultural Explosion Day and Relay4Life, and this semester, they have more events planned. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, members of the club will receive an exclusive presentation of 3D modeling and printing by associate professor Winn Rea. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, adjunct professor Laura Sweeney will be giving a demonstration on figure drawing and allowing students to take part in a drawing activity. Every event is open to all students, regardless of club member status.

The E-Board is interested in the idea of a Paint and Sip night. “It’s a night where students can come, relax and paint a canvas while enjoying some nice, warm coffee or hot chocolate,” Ruben said. Although this event isn’t fully developed, Ruben said it is something they are looking forward to.

The Studio gained about 15 new members this semester, but Shankar and Ruben want to welcome more. A recurrent member of the club, Melissa Passik, a junior geology major, joined The Studio in the spring semester of 2018. “I’ve always been interested in art,” Passik said. She also mentioned that the club provides her with a stress-free environment to simply relax and make art. The E-Board encourage students with the same interests as Passik to join their team.

Meetings are held every Wednesday during common hour at the Craft Center, the white building next to Pell Hall. Shankar encourages students interested in “expanding their creativity” to stop by for more information about the club.