The Student Art League is looking to recruit more members and reopen activities that have been closed due to COVID in the upcoming fall semester. The club has been meeting virtually for general meetings and critiques.
“The big plan right now is reviving things and since we’ll be in person we won’t be so Zoom fatigued,” Bailey Johnson, the President of Student Art League as well as an art major and BFA candidate, said.
In the fall the club is looking to bring back activities such as Croquis, the Salon des Refuses, and the Salivation Station food pantry in the Visual Arts building if possible.
“Croquis was an extra life drawing class for a little fee for one session or a general fee for all. It was also open to the public,” Johnson said.
Student Art League has been able to maintain virtual alumni guest speakers and will be hosting one this Friday, April 16.
The alumni will be UW graduate Zach Kennah, who has recently released his own graphic novel.
“Like the Salivation Station [guest speakers are] a practical thing I saw that could bring people to attend. Bringing food each meeting turned into Salivation Station. It may be a selfish motive to get people to attend,” Shelby Shadwell, a professor of drawing and the faculty liaison for the Student Art League, said.
Johnson said the guest speakers have helped to see different career options that are available for anyone in the field of art.
“There’s so many paths someone can take with an art degree. Some people think it’s just making art. One speaker worked for Funko pop making giant sculptures for their stores,” Johnson said.
In addition to alumni speakers, Shadwell says he looks to bring in a visiting artist once a year.
“As a student, I think it’s important to give me a trajectory on what to do after I graduate and how people are navigating the art world,” vice president Anna Naig, who is an art major and a BFA candidate, said.
Recently the Student Art League gathered submissions for their annual 4×4 Panels Fundraiser. The submissions will be put up for auction through their facebook, here.
The 4×4 panels auction will be taking place on April 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. Afterwards they will be available for pickup on May 4 starting at 12 p.m. in the Visual Arts building.
According to Shadwell, this year had a good turn out.
“We got roughly 40 to 60 pieces this year,” Shadwell said.
In addition Shadwell said he hopes the trips to armories, basels, and art shows can be a plan in the future.
Previously members of the club went to an armory show in New York.
“Some of the art was so bad so you realize ‘I can be an artist, mine is better than this,’” Shadwell said. “Hopefully Art basel in Miami is the next one.”
Funds for trips like the potential trip to Miami come from the art department and money raised with the 4×4 Panel Fundraiser.
“The basis is we’re kind of like a support group for students primarily in the art department but it’s open to all,” Johnson said.
Student Art League is looking to recruit new members and fill all available officer positions in the upcoming fall.
“We need a treasurer and we need more members. Graphic design or film, anyone who’s good with video. Anyone interested in the visual arts or getting something on their resume,” Shadwell said.
