The University of Dallas is a campus with many and diverse clubs and organizations for students to participate in when they aren’t busy with their school work. One such club is the Art Village Association.
The AVA’s “main goal is to promote the art program, by allowing students to express their creativity. We know it is difficult to sit still in one place during lectures and studying, and so we want UD students to take a break from that and have a more hands-on experience.” says Simone Meinerz, senior psychology major, studio art concentration and president of the AVA.
Maria Camila Rodriguez-Daza, senior oil painting and business double major and secretary of the AVA, adds that, “UD students often are disconnected from the Art Village and do not know the various comings and goings of the everyday art student, professor or friendly cat. The AVA provides a peek into the magic that happens in our facilities and studios,encouraging students to light their creative spark and grow in their love of art as a whole.”
But how exactly does the AVA accomplish this? Laura Gaitan, senior business major and treasurer of the AVA says, “our club does many art related things like displaying students’ art, participating in demos and making art, and just chilling and making art!”
“The AVA is responsible for hosting art related events around campus. So far we had a student art gallery night where we had submissions from artists–art majors and non art majors–and students came to the mall to look at their talented work,” Meinerz adds.
“Our first event was held in the Art history building auditorium and our second event was hosted on the Mall,” continues Meinerz, “we have some amazing plans for a future event! We are planning on hosting a Bob Ross painting night where we will be following a Bob Ross painting video. We are also hosting our Dead Day art sale the day before winter finals!”
Events for the AVA happen about once a month and are open to everyone. You can subscribe to the AVA email and/or ask for more information at udartassociation@gmail.com. You can also follow the AVA’s Instagram @ud.art.village.association.
Rodriguez-Daza says, “I encourage everyone at UD to attend AVA events or even one of the various shows and exhibitions made by art majors and concentrators, graduate students, and visiting artists.”
Gaitan adds, “Students should know that anyone can come into the set club! You don’t have to be an art major or art concentration! You don’t even have to be good at art!”
Meirnz concludes, “It doesn’t matter if you are an art student or not, we believe that anyone should be able to express themselves in a form of art.”