New and Improved Art Club Coming to BU
After a period of inactivity, the Art Club will be returning to Bluefield University.
Headed by Professor Allen Roberts, the Art Club is looking for interested members. Contrary to popular belief, according to Roberts, every student is encouraged to join regardless of major or experience.
“Artistic ability is not a requirement,” he said. “I envision the club as another way for students from all majors, athletic teams, etc. to fellowship and share some common interests and curiosities. You may learn something from fellow students who are gifted in the arts, or at least have fun trying.”
Karyss Milby, a student leader in the Art Club, spoke about the importance of community in the newly revamped organization.
“Coming from experience, I went to a community college before this (BU), and I did not have an artistic outlet,” Milby said. “For a while, I was pretty depressed. As a creative person, having somewhere you can go and just make stuff, even if it’s stupid, fills an area in your heart that you didn’t really know was there until you don’t have access to it. I had art supplies, I had paint, I had pencils, but I didn’t have a community to go and join that would encourage me to create. I think it’s important for everyone to have that opportunity, especially with the art building being closed and with no more art students because the (art) professor is gone. I feel like now, it is more important than ever to have a way to relieve stress and to help with mental health. I think that it (the Art Club) should be a thing students have access to no matter what.”
Students can also expect some perks to come with joining the Art Club, Roberts said.
“One angle I’d like to see pursued is the monetization of student work,” he said. “For example, giving creative students the means to turn their ideas into shirts, decals, etc. that could be sold to fund the club and act as a sort of ‘side hustle’ for some of our budding entrepreneurs.”
Ultimately, the Art Club will offer new experiences and opportunities to those involved. When asked about what could be achieved by the Art Club and the students involved in it Roberts said, “My goal is to see a group of excited students fostering a community of creativity, using the technology available to hone their existing skills or perhaps discover new passions and talents they didn’t know they possessed.”
Students interested in joining the Art Club shoud reach out to Professor Roberts by email at groberts@bluefield.edu.