Hidden among the overgrowth and stubby trees that populate the east side of campus is the University of Dallas’s Art Village, a small artistic paradise that’s home to our amazing Fine Arts programs.
According to the University of Dallas’s Art Village Association, it’s their driven duty to draw positive attention to our flourishing arts program and to show off what the Art Village has to offer to the wider U.D. community.
This week I took time to sit down and talk to the current president of the Art Village Association, senior psychology major Simone Meinerz, on the AVA’s mission and plans for this semester.
One of the main goals of the Art Village Association is to bring awareness to our thriving artistic community on campus. Meinerz remarked, “We want the Art Village to be apparent, we want a bunch of people to come to the Art Village… it’s awareness that we have in our program.”
She further elaborated on this point, mentioning how the AVA wants to create engaging artistic activities that are a break for hard-working students. “We want people to be able to like, let go of the academics here at U.D., and go more towards an expressive form of media, which is art”, states Meinerz, focusing on the importance of art as a means of relaxation.
Most recently, the AVA hosted a Bob Ross-themed Paint and Sip night, which was a hit among students participating in the fun activity. Students watched a tutorial by the famous painter Bob Ross on one of the TV screens and followed along on their personal canvases.
Wine and pizza were provided as refreshments, and the cozy atmosphere was heightened with the laughter and chatter of happy students. Commenting on the Paint and Sip event, Meinerz expressed her excitement over the positive turnout and the calm ambiance, “It was so unique to see everyone put a different spring onto this one Bob Ross painting.
“You would see ones that look almost identical, and then you’d seen ones that are completely off script. The beauty of it is to just see how different people express their creativity!”
This semester, the AVA doesn’t seem to be slowing down or stopping with just painting nights, but is expanding with new events and bringing back old traditions that are sure to excite any U.D. art fanatic.
Make sure to keep an eye out for these future events sponsored by the AVA – and don’t hesitate to visit. Whether you end up leaving a screen printing event with a cute new tote or precisely following a Bob Ross tutorial while sipping Rosé, any event hosted by the Art Village Association is sure to leave a smile on your face.