Since my first year at Mason last year, I’ve noticed the avid promotion of the theatre and English department: posters, opportunities, contests, upcoming events, etc. Both of these departments have a board on which frequently updated information is posted to promote opportunities for students. It did not occur to me until I came across an Art Club poster on the wall, that there was no such  promotion for visual and studio art. Evidently, two students, Lara Murray and Ali Rudel, realized the same lack of art promotion in our school and decided to act upon it. This is how the founding of the Art Club began.

Mr. Andy Fogle, advisor of the “Tempo” literary/arts magazine, decided to invest a portion of his time on Wednesdays after school to students interested in art. With only a few formally conducted meetings so far, (headed by senior Lara Murray now that Ali Rudel has transferred to another school) a list of prospective tasks has been drawn up as the club’s goals. Such goals include the scouting for excess art materials from stores such as Michaels, an art board, which will be used in the same nature as the English board (i.e., artist/genre of the month, contest opportunities, etc.) a student craft sale, painting more murals, and more. With the art department packed with more students than ever before, the newly established club is expected to attract a good number of students with artistic talent up their sleeves. Avidly encouraged by Lara Murray at each meeting is the bringing of materials for the sharing of people’s personal artistic hobbies. Students are free to bring in paint, hemp, jewelry, charcoal, paper, yarn, or any other materials that can be experimented with at meetings. The more, the mightier and the more meaningful!

Laura Murry, co-founder of Masons art club, is busy working on one of her art pieces.

If this club is wholeheartedly embraced and taken advantage of by the student body, visual art at George Mason should shine more brilliantly. Given that art is such a major component of Mason life, this club has a promising future for the school that should unquestionably persevere. Perhaps by the end of this school year, more murals will cover our walls and more students will have seized the opportunity and expressed themselves in ways that feel most natural. Carpe Diem!