By Ashley Szewczyk

The Casper College Art Club fosters a welcoming environment for students to create things they enjoy, build friendships, and gain positive experience in art, growth, and service. For students who may think of themselves as shy, socially awkward, or are just looking for a place where they can be themselves, the art club allows them the chance to connect through a mutual love and appreciation of art.   

“I knew we could always connect on the base level,” said John de Hoyos, a CC student and one of the club’s co-presidents. The connection de Hoyos spoke about is part of what makes the club special to so many of its members. People can come from different backgrounds with very different levels of experience, and art gives them something they can share. The club provides students with a place where they can meet others, try new things, and express themselves creatively.   

“Everybody’s unique in their own way. It’s just a place where people can go and be creative,” said Cynthia Harrison, the club’s faculty advisor. Harrison is also a visual arts instructor at Casper College and an active member in the local art community.  

Although the art club allows for members to express themselves using various different genres and styles, the club provides the chance for members to volunteer, participate in the community, travel to places with a lively art culture, and experience art outside of campus. 

These experiences can also help students build their resumes while doing the things they enjoy. 

The club also gives people a chance to experience art outside of the CC campus.  Last year, members of the club traveled to New York where they visited many museums and galleries and saw the ever growing art that covers the city. According to several faculty members and students at CC, this trip allowed students to experience art in person and see the different ways that art exists outside of the classroom.    

For members of the club, opportunities like the New York trip can make art feel bigger than part of an assignment or club. They can discover new artists, new styles, and get to see how art can become part of the culture of a city.  

Back in Casper, the club continues its involvement within the local community. Members volunteer at places like the Nicolaysen Art Museum and participate in activities that allow them to help while getting experience they can use after graduation. 

That involvement can also give students opportunities to build connections with people involved with Casper’s local art community and make their resumes stronger while doing things that they enjoy.  

The club’s relaxed atmosphere is also shown in the way that it welcomes new people.   “We’re very laid back with new artists, as long as you are a good person,” remarked Emery Schmidt,CC general studies student and fellow CC president of the art club.   

Leadership’s attitude helps to create an environment where students can come in, get involved with the campus and community, and explore their creativity. Members don’t have to have the same artistic styles, ideas, or interests to be a part of the group.   In the future, the members of the art club hope to see it grow and continue its involvement on campus and throughout the community. Through art, service, and shared experiences, the club gives students a place where they can create, connect, and explore opportunities out of class.   

For anyone interested in joining, the art club meets every Wednesday at 1:15 pm in room 221 of the Dick and Marialyce Visual Arts Center.