ArtsideOut, Seattle University's student art club, is making a few changes this year. The first item on the agenda is to let the student body know that everyone is invited to its events, even those who feel like they don't know jack about art.
"One of our goals is to encourage more underclassmen to join," said Colleen Clement, ArtsideOut's primary organizer. "Right now, it's mostly juniors and seniors."
Last year, ArtsideOut put on several events that were very popular among the artistically inclined members of the student body. One such event, which will be featured again this year, was "The Honest Crit," where once a month students present paintings, drawings, poems, stories, musical pieces, etc. to students, faculty and guest critics. As the title of the event suggests, the artwork is critiqued in an open forum, and the artists receive honest feedback and helpful suggestions from the audience. This year, the group plans to alter a few aspects of The Honest Crit's structure.
"Instead of it being a pure critique," said Trevor Brown, ArtsideOut's second in command. "I think it should also be a defense of the artist's work. I want to get students talking more as well."
Brown mentioned that they might even provide the artists with a short list of questions to consider. That way, they can start really thinking about their art and getting a firm grasp on their artistic intentions.
Another important change involves the First Thursday Art Walk, which the club will no longer be participating in. Instead, they will be attending Blitz Capitol Hill Arts Walk, which takes place on the second Thursday of every month. This Thursday will be ArtsideOut's first event of the year, and anyone interested in attending should meet in front of the Hedreen Gallery at 6:30 p.m. All subsequent Blitz walks will begin at 7:30 p.m.
ArtsideOut's third monthly event will be a figure drawing session organized by members Brown and Max Cerami. The club will also hold an additional monthly meeting for brainstorming and organizational purposes.
In the past, ArtsideOut put on an event called "Collision," basically a showcase of student art. This year, there will be two separate Collisions. The first will feature Seattle U artists only, while the second one is expected to be more inclusive.
The goal, according to Clement, is to eventually include Cornish, Seattle Central Community College, University of Washington and Gage Academy of Art. The goal is to expose Seattle U students to the many artistic voices that the city has to offer.
"I want ArtsideOut to be less Seattle U-ish and more Seattle-ish," Clement said.
The main objective is expansion.
"I want to see a wider variety of people at the club," said club member Kaillee Coleman.
ArtsideOut students want to meet new people, hear new ideas and see what Seattle U's artists have to offer. And they don't just want the same handful of people showing up. You don't have to be an art major to enjoy a good painting, poem or play.
"Our biggest goal this year is to become more organized and to make sure the whole campus knows about the events, not just our close friends," Clement said.
ArtsideOut's first event of the year will be this Thursday's art walk, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. The following Thursday will be the first figure drawing session, and the first Honest Crit will be held on Oct. 27. Anyone interested in showing art at The Honest Crit should email Colleen Clement at clementc@seattleu.edu.
"It's going to be cold this winter," Coleman said, "and art keeps you warm."
Cameron may be reached at cdrews@su-spectator.com
Editor's note: Trevor Brown is a staff designer at The Spectator.
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