I believe that environment plays a huge role in the academic success of students. Whether or not  students are feeling inspired can heavily influence their moods, actions and thought processes. An article by “Walden University” states that art education boosts critical thinking, resilience, test scores, and even tolerance and empathy. Art is something that can easily be accessed and created in order to help lighten the mood of any area, specifically in places like the library or dining hall. A way that this could easily become possible is by putting student-made art up all around SMCC campus. 

 Is SMCC taking enough advantage of student-made artwork in order for it to be experienced by all students attending? One place to start finding student made art to put up around campus is SMCC’s very own Art Club. 

Chuck Ott has directed Art Club since around 2018 after Jeff Badger retired his position as advisor. COVID took a bit of a toll on the Art Club, and museum trips were few during that time. However, back when the Club was more populated, the Club’s students took trips to museums in Boston, as well as in the local Portland area. 

Many planned events inside the club have the capability to inspire students within the Art Club itself. Certain events like “Art Making Day with Our Very Own Bob Ross Look-alike” and “Zine-Making Night” have been interactive with SMCC students. Ott says about 5 to 10 students show up for Art Club meetings and 20 to 25 people showed up to the final semester art show on the SMCC campus. Ott says that there’s plenty of space to put up student art around campus; however, these spaces don’t seem to be taken advantage of. The Art Club has been pondering mural projects on campus; however, a project that big would take about five students willing to aid its process, as well as approval from the school. 

There’s a missed opportunity for inspiration to be painted all around SMCC campus, while student art can be found in certain areas around campus: the TRIO office, CNMS building, CTE center near the library, including the Learning Commons which has art shows. Not all students get to experience looking at this art because it is only happening in these certain spaces. 

There are interested students willing to get involved in order to make SMCC a more artful place. One student attending SMCC, Jessica Spoto, has shown interest in a mural project. Though she only attended one Art Club meeting, she says she would be interested in aiding a mural project.

There’s not enough student-created art around SMCC campus. The empty walls of hallways in the library, dining hall and common areas of dorm buildings are missed opportunities. Though student art isn’t completely absent from campus, there’s a lot of room for growth. This would not only inspire students, but it would also create a sense of community. The white walls can be utilized to create a more peaceful and aesthetically pleasing environment for students living and attending in-person classes on SMCC campus.