The University of Olivet’s Art Alliance is an organization comprised of students who are passionate about the arts. While studying visual arts or graphic design is not a requirement, many members of the organization are majoring in an arts-related field. This organization allows students to participate in a variety of activities, such as going on field trips to art galleries and museums, performing community service and other outreach, and hosting off-campus art exhibitions.
Junior Luna Musser, the Student Government Association representative for Art Alliance, said, “Art Alliance’s goal is to spread the idea of art around campus. Art is something many people consider a luxury, something for rich people to look at in galleries, when in actuality there is so much more to art. Art is used as therapy; it’s used as self-expression. It’s a non-verbal way to communicate what you feel and what you see in the world.”
Sophomore Riley Hancock, who is currently the treasurer of Art Alliance, said “As an artist, it’s very important to make connections with people in your field and to share skills with one another. I believe the goal of Art Alliance is to make everyone feel welcome to the arts. No one is required to be an art major to join and we love seeing new faces. I encourage people to join Art Alliance if they even think they want to develop artistic abilities and make new friends who can help while they’re at it.”
“Art Alliance’s mission is to love art and people. This means bridging the gap between our community and art through service projects and outreach activities that make art accessible and fun. Since inheriting a leadership position with the club, my goal was to grow as a prominent club on campus by doing service work and targeted marketing. In the coming semesters, Art Alliance hopes to continue doing service projects for the community but wants to focus primarily on creating fun bonding activities for current, active members,” added senior Eliza Velasquez, Art Alliance past president.
Last semester, the members of Art Alliance worked together on Service Day to create a mural for Main Street Mixers, which is a smoothie and juice bar located in downtown Olivet. The members were also able to work with Main Street Mixers to sell drinks at the Homecoming football game and at the Midnight Madness event held on campus to raise funds for their club.
Art Alliance began hosting an activity night called “Sip ‘n Sketch” in the fall that was open to all students on campus. This event allowed students to come paint in a tent filled with twinkle lights and enjoy non-alcoholic beverages.
This semester, the group is hosting an art exhibition at the Eastend Studio and Gallery in Marshall, which is on display through March 11, and plans are underway for a movie night. In addition, Eliza said the group is hoping to organize some trips to art museums, fundraisers and small group excursions so Art Alliance’s members are able to invest in their club.
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
This piece was written by Julia Bidelman, a senior majoring in media production and communication. She serves as an intern in the marketing and communications department and is especially interested in social media. After graduation, Julia plans to continue her work as a content creator, photographer and social media manager, and she hopes to work in the field of social media for a small business or nonprofit organization.