Residential life team hosts OASIS canvas painting in Rees Hall
On Saturday, October 19th, the Residential Life Team welcomed students to the Rees Hall Community room for canvas painting at 3 p.m.. Students woke from afternoon naps and lunches with friends and made their way to Rees Hall. Acrylic paints were set out on tables, next to stacks of canvasses and rocks that could be painted. Snacks were also provided, and many filled their plates with apple slices and caramel dip. Others grabbed apple cider to sip throughout the afternoon, and most were careful enough to not confuse the drinks with paint water.
The vibrant atmosphere transformed the room into a lively art studio, filled with chatter and the smell of paint. The crowd was composed mainly of Union students eager to showcase their artistic talents. Some guests from the tournament were also in attendance, and the room quickly filled. Extra tables were set up to accommodate more guests. Lucas Mamier, a student at Union, commented “This is one of the fullest OASIS events I’ve seen!”
Students selected brushes and acrylic colors to create their masterpieces with, and many found tables with friends or acquaintances or found new people to begin conversation with. Laughter filled the space as people playfully critiqued other’s work, showing off skills or a certain lack thereof. Those with less-artistic inclinations asked for advice from friends, or confidently braved ahead. Some created decorations for the walls of their rooms or created gifts for loved ones. Multiple people began plate-painting, and pairs of friends took on the challenge of painting each other, which stirred much laughter.
People walked around to peek over their shoulders and compliment other artists. Those at tables talked about school, joked around, and shared stories with their friends. Christian music played on speakers set in the corners of the room, adding to the bright ambiance of the hall. Connections were fostered through the proximity of the seating, and the mood of the room demonstrated a strong connection throughout the student body.
As the event came to an end, many artists still lingered, and the residential life team began to clean up supplies left on the table. Paint Brushes were gently confiscated, and stragglers were ushered gracefully out to continue to enjoy their Sabbath afternoons elsewhere. The room was cleaned up, and even as the doors were closed and silence echoed throughout the hall again, the room still holds warm memories from such a successful event.
by Jenna Wilson