Paint night offers artistic outlet for stressed students

By Jill Girgulis, February 22 2016 —

University of Calgary students with an interest in art will have a chance to get their hands dirty on Feb. 23 from 5:45–8:30 p.m. in That Empty Space for the Scene and Heard Club’s Paint Night. The event is free for club members and memberships can be purchased at the door for $5.

Elisa Iannacito, an artist from Toronto’s Ontario College of Art and Design, is leading the event.

“I find some people hesitate to do art-type classes because they have the notion that they can’t do any better than a stick person or they don’t have access to the materials,” Iannacito says.

Club vice-president Daniel Hung helped organize the event. He stressed the importance of students finding a creative outlet.

“It’s a great way to empower students to be proud of their creations and express themselves without an association to grades,” Hung says. “[We give] students a blank canvas. They may wish to follow the instructor but they take home a piece of artwork that truly expresses themselves for who they are.”

Iannacito, whose own work will be on display at Motion Gallery in Eau Claire this March, believes the event makes it easy for first-time painters to participate.

“I think when there’s a class with instruction that’s more convenient for [students] they’ll be more interested,” she said.

The Seen and Heard club hosts similar events throughout the year to promote art to U of C students.

“[We provide] a fun space for students to de-stress and participate in creative events of the performing arts. We touch upon theatre, art, dance, film and music,” Hung explained.

For more information, visit sceneandheardclub.com.