Eighth annual ArtsFest livens up East Porches

Rain doesn’t stop the crowd from enjoying the afternoon.

By Julia Knox

Friday afternoon brought bright chalk announcements all over the sidewalks, music blasting louder than usual from the East porches, and a collective gathering of students making, buying and appreciating art.

Not even a few rain showers could stop this year’s ArtsFest.

The eighth annual Artsfest was sponsored by the Near East Fine Arts (NEFA) dorm and Arts Association and organized by the president of both organizations, April Seymore ’05. The event took place Friday, April 29 from 1-5 pm. A slew of organizations from all parts of campus took time to create and distribute works of art, play music, and generally appreciate art while hiding from the rain on the porches of East.

“ArtsFest is always held at the end of April and provides free art activities to the campus,” said Seymore.

To prepare for the event, NEFA members, who are required to participate, and Arts Associaton members get together and brainstorm activities to provide. They then design a t-shirt and get a small amount of money from Hollins Activities Board.

“Then,” said Seymore, “we do our best to liven up Front Quad for an afternoon.”

This year’s event took place from 12-5 pm. In the past, it took place from 1-4, but this year was extended “to be more inclusive of arts students with Friday classes,” said Seymore. Approximately 75 people showed up throughout the afternoon.

In addition to longer hours, this year also offered more activities.

“This year we tried to extend the offerings by including art sales and workshops, but weather cancelled the workshops,” said Seymore.

ArtsFest was also associated with the theater department and Alpha Psi Omega’s productions of “The Life Cycle of the Vagina” on Friday and Saturday evening.

Despite being affected by the rain, the event was still a success.

Annetay Henderson ’05 sold handcrafted clothes and accessories. Her colorful bags, skirts and dresses, made from patchworked pieces of fabric, ran from $20 - $50.

“I used to sell my stuff at trunk shows and concerts around Charlottesville, as well as A Little Bit Hippy downtown,” said Henderson, as she measured Carrie Hart ’06 for a custom-made dress. “But I’ve been really busy for the past year so I’ve mostly stuck to events like this and Earth Day at Hollins.”

Those who bought from Henderson were extremely happy with their purchase. Meghan Gray ’08 was seen showing off her new purse to friends in Bradley.

Elsewhere on the porches, Vivie Satorsky ’05 sold Cargoes shirts while munching on a vegan cookie from a third floor table (which she proclaimed as “delicious”).

The literary magazine’s t-shirts, which have been on sale for almost three months, continued to sell. Hollins students are seeminly anxious to have a rooster on their chest, accompanied by the question “Cock Block? Or Writer’s Block?”

Next to Satorsky, Kathleen Shaw ’06 was busy shielding herself from the drizzle. Ever resourceful, Kathleen took yards of mosquito netting, pillows and a sheet to make herself a fort.

“I’m going to be here awhile,” said Shaw as she put the finishing touches on her area. “I might as well be in a cool shelter thing while I’m here.”

Shaw spent the afternoon in her fort selling homemade buttons and cards, accompanied by a cup that declared “I’m poor, buy things or donate.”

As the afternoon wore on, visitors wandered through a maze of artistic activities. Students could have their hair dyed pink, listen to Megan Anderson ’05 play guitar, enjoy the music blasting out of Dee Mudzingwa ‘07’s room, and buy homemade woodprints. Every so often, theatre students would announce their upcoming production, “Lifecycle of the Vagina” on Front Quad.

Those who didn’t get a chance to make it last Friday will have another chance next week.

“Because of the weather, we will host an ArtsFest Reprise on reading day afternoon [May 11],” said Seymore. “For two hours we'll have out all the crafts, activities, and of course the tie-dye and NEFA shirts, which the silk-screen place messed up last week and we therefore did not have at ArtsFest.”

The rain couldn’t stop visitors from enjoying the afternoon.

“ArtsFest really shows how creative our school is,” said Lisa Bower ’05 as she rested in Shaw’s fort. “The talent of some of our students amazes me.”