Bakersfield College has, for at least the first time in several years, an art club. The idea originated from art instructor Emily Maddigan, and it was brought about this semester with the help of fellow instructor Laura Borneman, who is now the club adviser, and part-time instructor Claire Putney.
The main idea behind the club was to give students the means to present their art to the public, either in the Bakersfield area-if they stay after graduation-or in any other area where they might move. If there aren’t enough opportunities available for the students, then, said Borneman, the students should “create more.”
Vice President of the club Matt Macias talked about how that goal was important in guiding his decision to become involved in the club.
“That’s one of my goals,” said Macias. “I don’t have a place to show my art. I have the class, my parents, some friends, and then it ends up in a shed.”
There have been previous attempts to start a club in recent years, but students had a difficult time making the club official.
Both Borneman and Macias pointed to Chris Ballard as being a key part responsible for the club forming this time around. He knew the proper channels to go through to have a club officially started, and he attends the required SGA meetings to keep the club official.
“I think that was the problem when they first started,” said Macias. “It didn’t really get off the ground.”
This time they did, and officially doing so is crucial to getting support from the community, such as participation in fundraisers.
The club is currently planning on having a table at homecoming Oct. 15, where they will sell various arts and crafts to raise funds for the club.
They are also working on a float for homecoming, and they are interested in doing a fundraiser through Rubio’s, where they will receive 20 percent for every purchase attributed to the club.
The club plans to do many things with its potential funds, such as going on painting trips and having guest artists come in.
Borneman stressed how the students are really responsible for the club, and she really only is there as a figurehead.
“They’re really running it. That’s one of the important things,” she said.