Any student interested in art can get involved in the Student Art Association, which seeks to bring students together to enjoy and create art on and around campus, regardless of major or department affiliation.
According to presidents and juniors Alyssa D'Anna and Rachel Svenson, as well as secretary, junior Abby Mayer, most members are not art majors.
The group's main focus is to bring art and awareness of artistic activity to the campus. A juried art show, one of SAA's biggest events, is usually held in the spring, but members hope to organize shows both semesters this year. In the past, the club has also held a "garbage art" Late Knight event in conjunction with Geneseo Environmental Organization. Members say that they have plans for a potential installation this spring.
The club puts their artistic abilities to good use through community service projects such as mural painting and making cards for the Teresa House, a comfort care house in Geneseo.
To find and admire local art, organized trips bring members to attractions such as the Albright-Knox Gallery located in Buffalo.
"We try to visit a bunch of galleries," said Svenson. "Whoever wants to go can go."
One of the club's main endeavors this year has been to produce an art magazine, which they plan to title "The Stray." The magazine will be in full color, featuring art images as well as art-related articles.
According to members, the Student Art Association strives to gain recognition for the art community at Geneseo. Thus, they do not focus on any specific discipline in order to appeal to a more diverse population.
"The club gets people to see what kind of art is going on," said Mayer.
"Everyone comes from different concentrations," said D'Anna. "Sometimes we just bring paper and we color."
The members noted that the club is a good opportunity to showcase the work of students and faculty. "It's a really good opportunity as an artist to get your work out, even if you're not in the art department, and see what other talent is at the school," said Svenson.
The Student Art Association meets every Monday at 1:50 p.m. in Brodie 217 and welcomes new members interested in art regardless of their background.