The Renaissance of ISU's Fine Arts Club

Like so many things, the ISU Fine Arts Club almost didn’t make it through the Covid pandemic. Revived by the dedication of students, the club has since experienced tremendous growth.

Current club president, Emily King, a Junior in the BFA in Digital Media program at ISU, and vice president Sarah Leary, a Senior earning her BFA in Art, not only revitalized the club, but brought it roaring into life. 

In Spring 2023 there were six active members, the minimum requirement for a student club at ISU. Today, just one year later, there are over 120 members. King and Leary started bringing life back into the club by going door to door to all the fine arts classrooms and personally inviting students to join the club. 

“When we broadcasted at the building that this was a club, we had other artists and students join from the music department,” King says. Then others joined from the Gamer’s Club, as well as students from business, anthropology, and history. “Anyone can join as long as you love art,” says King. “You can just enjoy looking at art. We’re happy to have anybody.”

King, Leary, Emmie Henderson (secretary), and Ila Garrido (treasurer) have worked hard to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for club members. 

Club member Ashlyn Auman shares that “everyone is incredibly willing to give honest and constructive feedback and that has helped my art grow faster than I could’ve on my own. Those involved in the club are also friendly and kind to everyone around them, making the club feel very welcoming.”

A major club goal is to create events and opportunities for students. With an event scheduled every month, activities (available both in-person and online) such as art trades and Art Fight competitions keep members engaged and connected. Members play an integral role in submitting and selecting club activities. Events have included a collaborative Halloween party with the Gamer’s Club, featuring games and a costume contest, as well as a dessert and paint party where participants learned to paint a nighttime landscape with shooting stars from an alumni artist. 

Additionally, the club has organized bake sales and participation in Art a la Carté to raise money for their trips and activities. Currently, members are preparing for a field trip to Salt Lake City to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Weekly open studio sessions provide a space for club members to create art together in a supportive environment. Communication and engagement happens on the club Discord group, where the group chats, gets announcements, and shares opportunities specific to artists such as art submission calls. Through this platform, artists can get feedback about their work from other artists. King says that many artists are introverts but that they are finding value in interacting with other artists and other students across campus.

“My personal goal is to create more opportunities,” King says. “We want to make more opportunities for alumni and the public to interact with our art students. Our goal was to create a community where artists can talk to other artists.” 

King says that one of her long-term dreams for the club is that one day, club members will be able to make a difference in art students’ lives through a scholarship fund 

Club member Luz A. Perez Potter says, “The Fine Arts Club provides a community of people who have similar interests and are in varying stages of their art journey. The people in the club are also still learning and are willing to provide support and feedback to help everyone progress and learn. I think it's a very kind and understanding community as well, it also helps us make connections for the future.”

One unique aspect of the club is its unofficial mascot, the pickle, which emerged from a spirited campaign to preserve a mural at Reed's Gym. Through their advocacy, the pickle became a symbol of the club's resilience and solidarity, uniting faculty and students alike.

Over the summer the club will be active via Discord and they plan to host some online gaming events. Plans are in the works for a “Reject Artworks” exhibit via the Discord group and Art Fight, which will happen in July over Discord. Plans are underway as well for another series of activities when school starts again in the fall. 

You must be a member or an ISU alumnus to join the Discord group. Please email the fine arts club at fineartsclub@isu.edu. to inquire or join.