NC State’s Canvas Club brings together painters from all levels and backgrounds to grow and explore creative interests.
The Canvas Club’s vice president, Penny Lawrence, a second-year studying physics, described how the student organization got started.
“This club was created because both Ashleigh [Reed, Canvas Club president] and I are passionate about painting,” Lawrence said. “Ashleigh came to me saying that none of the art clubs on State met as often as she would like, and that she wanted to create one that did. She asked me to help because she knew that I’ve been painting for the last few years.”
The president of the Canvas Club, Ashleigh Reed, a fourth-year student studying criminology, elaborated on the club’s mission and how art can help students.
“So, over the summer, I developed a love for painting and found in it an outlet,” Reed said. “Depression is something I struggle with, and it helped me cope with it and allowed me to express myself in a constructive way. This ties into my goal of the club, being that I want people with no experience all the way to advanced painters to come together in a supportive environment that they can come paint and just be free. I want them to look at it as expression-based, not talent-based.”
Students from various fields of study and backgrounds can create art with others in a relaxed environment where they are free to be themselves, according to Reed.
“I am a current master’s student in computer engineering,” said Sakshi Goynar, a Canvas Club member. “I am an art-lover and an artist. What basically interests me in the club [is] that I would get [to] interact and work with similar people, and take part or organize some events that would hone my artistic skills.”
According to Lawrence, the Canvas Club offers students, both inside and outside the College of Design, a place to paint solely for fun, with no limitations. Students gain exposure to a variety of mediums and styles.
The level of activity a student organization has can also make a difference in general interest and student participation. Before Canvas Club arose, there were few active art clubs centered around drawing and painting on campus, according to Carly McKenna, a third-year studying mechanical engineering.
“I am aware that the Craft Center hosts art classes for a fee, but I don’t really have the time to commit to these classes to make sure I get my money’s worth, as I have other social and academic obligations to attend to,” McKenna said. “This year, I heard about Canvas Club through an advertisement the current president of the club posted in the Facebook group ‘WPS 2.0’ and was immediately interested, as a club does not require the same level of commitment an art class does, and it typically doesn’t cost money either except for voluntary donations for club supplies and trips.”
The Canvas Club is working on setting up mini-lessons with local Raleigh artists so that a professional can teach the club members about their specific medium or style, according to Lawrence.
“The classes are mini-lessons to begin with, that way everyone is on the same page and familiar with what we are doing, using, etc. and then we will begin painting, helping everyone along the way,” Reed said. “We will be exploring the different medias, including, but not limited to acrylic, watercolor, alcohol ink, spray paint and so on.”
The Canvas Club has a Facebook group that anyone can follow to get more information, and the club also has an Instagram @canvasclubatncstate. Information can also be found on the organization page through NC State at https://getinvolved.ncsu.edu/organization/CanvasClub. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“As far as what I would tell anyone who wants to join is that no experience is necessary, and we would love to teach them and that we are excited to bring people together to make some awesome pieces,” Reed said.
