The Museum Advisory Council of Students hosted its third annual Art After Dark event in Pickard Hall on Thursday night.
The council, a volunteer organization that promotes the educational mission of the Museum of Art and Archaeology, offered a chance for students from MU, Stephens College and Columbia College to join members of the Columbia community in a celebration of art and creativity.
“It’s a good way for us to reach out to the college students,” MACS co-president Sarah Jones said. “They can be overlooked by the museum. So many come here just for class.”
Art After Dark aims to make students want to attend the event, not just attend because they’re told to, Jones said.
“It’s important to get them in a relaxed setting,” she said. “Some work we have is really amazing. It’s an educational and a fun place.”
For some, Art After Dark was part of their love for art and art culture.
“I really enjoy the event,” MU graduate student Erlisha Tamplin said. “I love art … it’s really great to see them dare to put themselves out there. It raises awareness for students. This is another part of humanity that isn’t normally shown.”
Besides a chance to casually critique artwork, the event included a student competition, music supplied by KCOU, a button-making activity led by the Craft Studio and a photo booth.
Art After Dark was also a chance for students in all three of Columbia’s universities to get a taste of the art scene not usually in the spotlight.
“I’ve never been to one of these before,” MU sophomore Cody Spotanski said. “It gets people like me, who aren’t into art, out here into something to see on a Thursday night.”
Prior to the event, artists submitted a photograph of their piece, after which MACS members acted as a jury to make selections. Of the 81 pieces submitted to MACS for the event, 26 were put on display, including works of photography, painting and digital media.
At the event, guests voted for their favorite piece, the top three of which were announced at the end.
“We do fundraising during the year to give a cash prize for the top three audience favorites,” Jones said.
After more than 100 votes were counted, the year’s winners were announced.
Stephens College student Avery Kerr won third place for the ink drawing “Little Miss Sunshine,” MU sophomore August Quinif won second place for the drawing/sketch “A break” and MU sophomore Drew Nikonowicz won first place for the photograph “Thera, 1742 BCE.”
“I haven’t been in a Columbia art show yet,” Quinif said. “I think that it lets students without a lot of places to put their art show off their stuff. It’s for the beginners, like a nice little stepping stone.”