OSU hosts annual art festival

Monday, September 16, 2024

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University hosted its annual arts festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. last Friday in the Student Union. 

Students were invited to paint on canvases and hats, listen to music, indulge in boba drinks, and purchase art and jewelry from local artists. 

Art Festival Director Haley Monday said the event aimed to offer students and the community a place to showcase their art. 

“Our goal is not only to bring awareness for arts on campus but also to provide a space for artists on campus to present their work,” said Monday, who is also a studio art senior. “All of these booths are students, and then we have a few larger ones that are community members. It’s open to students and Stillwater community members to have a place to show their art.”

Before the Student Union Activities Board began hosting the event, it was under the Student Arts Alliance. 

“We helped because we have the funding to provide all these booths and activities for these artists,” Monday said. “In order for them to have a completely free place to have their work, we decided to host the event.”

Student artists were selling homemade items, from crochet shirts to crystal rings. OSU’s Graphic Design Club was also at a booth selling its designed stickers. 

Anashay Vick, a student at Northern Oklahoma College who will be transferring to OSU to pursue studio art, showcased and sold her art two years in a row at the arts festival. 

“My favorite part is everyone looking at my art and getting it out there,” Vick said. “I like seeing them when it’s over, still wearing my stuff. Now they have my bag and things like that. It’s cool seeing my stuff out there.”

Other students who came to see the festival were excited about seeing the art and jewelry for sale. 

“Everybody’s super nice,” said Rebecca Kindt, a graphic design junior. “And you don’t have to have a million dollars to come down here. You can find something for a reasonable price that you’ll like.”

Monday said SUAB’s motto this year was to “support local artists.” OSU’s Art Festival allowed students to do that while keeping many of the activities, except the art booths, free for everyone. 

“Many of the students have spent weeks working on this,” Monday said. “They’re really committed. Everyone here is really talented, so support your local art.”

Story By: Mak Vandruff | makenzie.vandruff@okstate.edu