By Kaitlyn Oliveros, Oct. 18, 2022
ASI hosted their first Paint & Sip event in Ursa Major C on Oct. 11, encouraging students to show off their creativity with some drinks and snacks on the side.
The event included free coffee provided by Starbucks and churros from “The Dough Life.” Each table was set up with a variety of paint colors, paint brushes and stencils. ASI had a slideshow playing with samples of artwork ASI members painted and tutorials. Relaxing music was also played while students painted.
ASI partnered with the Bronco Wellness Center for this event. The center had their own stand where they gave out more information on their services and free pens. Xochitl Lara, a coordinator of this event, shared why ASI partnered with the Wellness Center for this event.
“It’s midterm season and people are usually really stressed mentally and physically, so we figured collaborations with the Wellness Center would help with promoting mental health,” said Lara. “We reached out to them and asked them if they could participate … their participation was mostly promoting their own resources and services.”
As for planning the event, Kate Smith, another coordinator for this event, shared the process of what went into planning Paint & Sip.
“The art department got together, and we really wanted to create an event that emphasized wellness and students’ wellbeing,” said Smith. “We wanted to create an event that was relaxed and chill. We got some tea and coffee and some paintbrushes, and we created Paint & Sip.”
With planning this event and collaborating with other organizations, Smith shared what she’d like for students to take from this event.
“I definitely want them to make friends and create a community with their fellow artists or people who have passion for art, but also just to destress,” said Smith. “School can get really hectic sometimes, so hopefully everyone has a good time and is able to relax.”
Spots were taken up so quickly for this event that ASI had to add more. More than 40, students were seen painting all sorts of things while enjoying some churros on the side. Seleste Suarez, a psychology student, shared her thoughts on this event.
“It’s really relaxing. I like the churros too. I wasn’t expecting that,” said Suarez.
Suarez said this event helped take her mind off midterms, and she’d come back to more events like these.
Towards the end of the event, ASI had an optional survey where students were able to give their thoughts on the event and how they found out about it. After taking it, a free cow plush keychain was given.
The next art-related event called “A Haunting Experience” will be held on Oct. 18. Students can reserve a spot through myBAR. For more information on this event or other ASI events, students can visit the ASI website or follow their Instagram @asicpp.
Feature image courtesy of Kaitlyn Oliveros
