The Centre for Accessibility, Resources and Empowerment (CARE), in collaboration with the School of Art Student Association (SOFASA), presents a public communal drawing initiative on campus from Oct. 5 to 9 to bring students together through art.
The event concept stemmed from a desire to create a welcoming gathering space where participants can feel a sense of belonging on campus while uniquely expressing themselves.
Kristen Nguyen, UMSU accessibility representative, said the event commemoratess Mental Illness Awareness Week, which she hoped would inspire mental health conversations.
The event is open to all students and does not require interested participants to have any artistic skills.
“Students can participate in whatever way feels comfortable for them,” Nguyen said. “Something as simple as a small drawing, a word, a message, or adding to someone else’s work can become part of the collective artwork.”
She acknowledged SOFASA’s contribution to making the event “more meaningful and accessible.”
SOFASA will be supporting the artistic aspect of the program and providing guidance on its organization and the display of the artwork.
An art exhibition, which was part of the initial plan, has been postponed until November due to a delay in a funding request.
“Art can offer another way to express what may be difficult to put into words,” Nguyen expressed.
She remained hopeful that the “initiative [will help] create a sense of belonging.”
The event will take place in UMSU accessibility office at 126 Helen Glass, from Oct. 5 to 9. Interested students can find updates and further details on CARE’s Instagram page
@accessibility_umsu.
