James Miller

Chinook Writer

The Casper College Art Club has run for many years and continues to this day, giving students the opportunity to practice art outside of classes. The club meets every first and third Monday of each month and on certain Fridays for activities at 5:30 p.m. in the printmaking studio of the Visual Arts building.  

Casper College fine arts major and club president, Elise Ramsey, talked about the club and what it has to offer. She mentioned how the art club gives all students the ability to take part in making all kinds of art regardless of their major. 

“The art club is a good learning environment and a great way to expand your understanding of art,” she said. 

Ramsey joined the art club last year, and her fellow members elected her as president. Ramsey is currently majoring in Fine Arts at Casper College. The club president spoke highly of the visual arts professors and courses at the college. 

Additionally, Ramsey noted that the art club isn’t just reserved for people proficient at art. Anyone can join the art club regardless of skill or talent, and it isn’t closed off or reserved for people with experience or knowledge of art. 

The Casper College Art Club occasionally has group art projects on some Fridays everyone can work on. The club provides the necessary supplies for such projects as well.  For example, the club hosted a pumpkin painting day last fall.  

The cost of supplies can prove problematic for the club, however. One of the challenges the art club faces is budget problems. Ramsey said there are times the club doesn’t have enough funding to afford some supplies for certain types of art, which can make it harder for members to practice the form or style of art they wish. The art club still manages to run in spite of this which truly shows the dedication the students and teachers in this club have. Club secretary, Rhiannon Leinius, mentioned how the club does provide supplies for the activities; however, they aren’t typically the best.  

 “We tend to have cheaper supplies. All of the colored pencils and markers that we have are like Crayola from Walmart.” Leinius said.   

Another obstacle the club has overcome was the change of leadership. The former members graduated and the current members were confused on what to do. Leinius spoke about how no one helped out the newer members.  

Leinius said, “When it restarted in the fall, it was a completely new group of people, so we had a little bit of confusion and mismanagement just because we didn’t know what we were supposed to do.” 

 The art club also travels to other cities across the country. Last year, the art club took a trip with some of the members and managers to the Denver Museum of Art. Ramsey said the club is currently planning a trip to New York City this year to spend a few days visiting different art museums across the city. The club plans to travel to New York from April 15-18 and visit several museums in the city. 

Another opportunity the club grants some members is the ability to sell their art. The art sales take place throughout the year, providing chances for artists to get their names out in the community. The next art sale will likely take place from April 2–3, and a portion of the proceeds will go to funding the club’s New York trip. 

 “The goal of the art sale is trying to make enough money that everyone will be able to go without having to spend that much.” Leinius said.  

In addition, Art 321 is currently working on creating a pop-up in which students and club members could display their art. It would create another place for members of the art club the ability to show off their work. Art 321 will have a reception on March 5th at 5:30 p.m. for the pop-up. 

Ramsey stressed that the art club is a great opportunity to explore the world of art. Not everyone who joins the club will be great at all kinds of art, but that’s okay.  

In Ramsey’s own words, “The art club is a safe space to explore creativity. You don’t have to be good at art to join.”  

The Casper College Art Club has run for many years and continues to give students the ability to practice and learn art. There are many opportunities to truly explore different facets of art and travel the country. You should consider joining the art club if you are interested in art at all, as it may benefit you in more ways than one. You can also go to the art sale in April to help fund the New York trip and benefit the art program at the college as a whole if you don’t want to join the club but still want to help.