Gathering within one of the art studios in the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts on Nov. 19, the Feminist Intersection Club held their final event of the Fall 2024 semester, a Paint and Sip night.
Students sat around a square table in the middle of the room. Scattered on this table were myriads of acrylic paint tubes, paintbrushes and cups to use for either water to clean brushes, or for the mocktails Feminist Intersection board members made for participants.
Snacks and drinks were offered to students to fuel their creativity. Students could enjoy seltzer, a pina colada-inspired mocktail, a pudding, a gummy worm and Oreo cookie concoction, and more.
As the students painted and sipped, board members took the opportunity to introduce themselves and to speak about the mission of their club. Passing out packets for guests to follow along with, they presented their goal of using the event to empower students through art and to explore the world of feminist art. Art pieces from a diverse selection of artists all focusing on different ideas and topics were included in the packets. This allowed students to explore and discover art that they may not have otherwise been exposed to and find inspiration for their own piece.
Essential to the event was the acknowledgement of intersectionality and teaching students what the term means and its significance, as well as how art can be used as a tool to explore intersectionality. The board’s presentation emphasized the flexibility and capability of art to surpass the limitations of linear explanations, reflecting the complexities and nuances of experiences at the crossroads of different identities that often cannot be neatly explained or summarized by labels.
The event drew students from all corners of campus, not just the artistically-inclined. From the humanities to the sciences, Rangers of all majors enjoyed a night of artistic experimentation. Students took inspiration from many different places, from the punchy colors and emotional resonance of works by Frida Kahlo to the simplicity and beauty of everyday objects such as Coke cans and strawberries.
Creativity can be a powerful tool to express the complexities of our lived experiences. Through this event, students were given the opportunity and space to explore their creativity where their art was valued and recognized regardless of what it was expressing. From self-portraits to light-hearted, pop art-style designs, students connected with their unique creative voices and with their peers.
Going into next semester, the Feminist Intersection Club will continue to host educational and enjoyable events to connect students across campus through a shared interest in inclusivity.
Evelyn Labbé is a first year exploring academically.
Featured image courtesy of Lindsay Orr.
