By Mackenzie Menter, Staff Writer
Students are gathering to paint, draw, and enjoy food and live music this semester during monthly Art Socials.
The events, hosted by members of the Petree College of Visual Arts and Sciences on the first Monday evenings of the month, are an opportunity for all students to come together and enjoy creating art in a relaxed, group setting.
Mike Wimmer, chairman of the art department created the concept as a way to bring together “people with like minds who want to enjoy that kind of time in the space.”
Wimmer began hosting Art Socials last fall and said they’ve had up to 60 people attend in the past.
To paint or draw, an artist needs a subject.
“We always offer models,” Wimmer said. “They’re student models in costume and it’s always fun.
“We never know what we’re going to get, whether they’re going to be Renaissance, whether they’re going to be early American, or if there’s going to be fairies or cavemen.”
The event usually has two stages with different subjects to draw or paint. The events also feature live music and free food.
Wimmer encourages anyone who is interested to attend.
“It’s open to anyone really,” Wimmer said. “Any OCU student is always welcome to come.
“We have some people that have always been interested, and they came in in a kind of casual way, not feeling too pressured. It’s not like class; it’s not really any kind of workshop. It’s really just kind of enjoy the social atmosphere surrounded by the arts.”
The gallery in the art center is open during Art Socials.
Currently there is an exhibit called Golden Kites, Golden Dreams, featuring award-winning illustrations from children’s literature.
Lance Whitlow, art sophomore, began attending the Art Socials last year.
“Art Socials are kind of a give-back the art department has developed,” Whitlow said. “I love it just because I am an art major, so I like to get some extra practice in as much as possible, and I just find it’s a really great atmosphere.”
Art Socials are hosted from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the last Monday of every month in the main studio of the Norick Art Center.
Admission is free.
Students of all levels of artistic ability are encouraged to attend.
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