The Art Club at 蘑菇视频网 (CWI) provides students with exciting opportunities that expand beyond the classroom, into the community as well as out-of-state. These experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-world art practices and build a stronger appreciation for different artistic styles and cultures.
One way students experience this connection is through community events like the . This community event attracts approximately 200 artisans each year. Fine artists can enter two- or three-dimensional pieces to be judged. The Art Club tours the exhibits and contributes to the judging process. This gives students an opportunity to evaluate artwork and engage with the local art community.
In addition to local activities, the Art Club travels to a major metropolitan area to explore and experience new art and culture. This past spring, eight students and two club advisors traveled to San Francisco. Highlights of the trip included visiting the , touring galleries, and browsing art supply shops, along with other experiences not available in the Treasure Valley.
One of the most memorable activities was a sketchbook crawl along the waterfront. During a sketchbook crawl, participants walk through an area as a group, stopping at locations with interesting architecture and landscapes to sit and sketch. This activity encouraged students to slow down, observe their surroundings closely, and capture what inspired them in their own artistic style.
“These Art Club trips are one of the most important experiences our students have,” said Eric Mullis, Art Assistant Professor and Club Advisor. “They give students the chance to build leadership skills and create lasting professional relationships that continue long after graduation. These trips also give them the confidence to take what they’ve learned in the classroom out into the world. Many students who have gone on these trips are now active professional artists in the Treasure Valley and help lead community art events like Treefort, Illuminate Garden City, and Illumibrate at JUMP.”
Students shared their enthusiasm for the trip afterward:
"Thank you guys for being the best Art Club anyone could ask for!!! That was the best trip ever..."
"... I am so grateful I went and got to experience all of this with y'all!!"
"I loved this trip so much. Thank you all for making it so fun."
The Art Club welcomes anyone to join and meets every other Friday at 10 a.m. in room 206 of the (NCAB). The Art Club will be planning next year’s trip soon. This semester, the club is hosting two fundraisers to support future activities and trips. More details will be announced soon.
For more information, visit the Art Club’s page or contact Eric Mullis at ericmullis@cwi.edu.
