For some students at Plymouth State University, Friday nights mean drinking and partying. However, for members of the PSU Art and Art History Club, Friday nights mean hosting art projects at the Bridge House, a homeless shelter.
“We do it on Friday nights, which makes it hard for people who want to start their weekends, but its actually a really nice way to start your weekend because it feels amazing to go and you just feel like you’ve done so much, and you’ve barely started your weekend,” said Art and Art History Club President Katie Cotnoir.
The organization began making trips to the Bridge House at the beginning of this semester. The group will usually consist of 4-5 members that facilitate the activities. They have already hosted different art projects including pumpkin carving and leaf printing, and provide help and supplies to those who want to participate. “Its just simple things that kids can do, but the adults can take the projects to a whole new level and they can kind of get out of their own world, and do something that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to do,” said Cotnoir.
For the children and teenagers at the shelter, the organization has been able to take time to help them develop and focus on their artistic abilities. The club members will bring additional supplies to them, like a sketchbook, charcoal, and pencils, to meet their individual artistic interests.
The organization also works with the Pemi-Youth Center every Monday from 4-5pm, with children aging from 8-15 years old. The organization is planning on beginning a mural with the group, and has already completed some projects with the group such as chalking and painting. “It is really a great opportunity for any education major to practice making a lesson plan that incorporates art,” said Cotnoir.
The Art Department is also working with the Bridge House to help raise money through art. Through the department, artists have the ability to donate work that they have completed. The department is working on giving these donated pieces to the Bridge House to be sold at an art exhibit that the shelter is planning on having this year, with all the proceeds going to the shelter.
The artwork that the individuals make at the Bridge House, along with work from the Youth Center, will be displayed at the end of the semester in the Draper and Maynard building as a part of Art and Art History Club’s “Community Art” exhibit. For more information on the organization, or to join in on some projects, please contact president Katie Cotnoir @ kacotnoir@plymouth.edu.