By Kaitlyn Oliveros and Matisse Sanchez, Oct. 25, 2022
On Oct. 18 ASI hosted “A Haunting Experience” to help students destress and enjoy a frightening time drawing and hanging out with friends.
ASI set students up with art supplies and offered sugar cookies and refreshments. Students had a stack of papers in the center of the desk and sketching tools such as pencils, blenders and erasers to draw any of their favorite Halloween-related things.
From drawings of Jack Skellington to pumpkins, ASI set the mood with some Halloween music and encouraged students to show their creative and spooky side.
“This is my first time drawing at an event, and it’s been fun and interesting so far,” said Andy Menendez, a chemistry student. “The last time I drew for fun was in one of my high school classes.”
Menendez shared that this event helped him take his mind off assignments. He also mentioned that he loved that the event was Halloween-related.
Coming back from midterms, Kate Smith, a coordinator for this event, shared how she wanted to create a stress-free and creative space for students to enjoy. She said weekly meetings were held to plan an event that would be best for students.
“We wanted to showcase the students’ artwork and create a fun environment where they don’t feel pressured to be the best artist, just to be their most authentic selves and be creative,” said Smith. “We decided to get some pastries and some tea and coffee to create a relaxing environment, and play some fun Halloween music to get the creativity flowing.”
Smith said what she loved most about planning the event was being able to get students involved in art and creating an outlet for self-expression.
“I really want them to release their inner artist and not worry about whether it’s good or not,” said Smith. “Draw for the love of it, and maybe ignite a passion in that.”
Students were able to spend some time and have a couple of laughs outside the classroom atmosphere. Natalie Moreno, an animal science student, shared what brought her to the event.
“I wanted to destress,” said Moreno. “I just came from a lab for O-chem this morning.”
Moreno said it was nice to concentrate on something else after class.
Once the event finished, ASI gave students the opportunity to submit their artwork for the upcoming art exhibit in the Bronco Student Center. Once pictures get approved, students will be able to enjoy the artwork and see if their work made it into the gallery.
ASI is always open to feedback on their events. Surveys have been passed around at each event and if students take part in them, they receive a gift. At this event, ASI gave free journals to everyone who took the survey on the event.
The next and last spooky-related event “Bronco Fright Fest” will be held on Oct. 28 at Bronco Commons. Students can reserve a spot through myBAR.
Feature image by Samantha Padilla.