_Regan Huston is a freshman journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist that writes about student politics for The Maneater._
The Missouri Students Association is at risk of losing one of its most successful auxiliaries, the Craft Studio. Renovations at Memorial Union will cause the current location of the Craft Studio to close, and there is a possibility that it may never open again. The fight to save the Craft Studio is one worthy our attention, and it is a battle that should be sought passionately.
Through social media outlets and the Craft Studio’s website, an announcement was released earlier this week explaining why the studio will be closing. The announcement said MSA President Sean Earl was communicating with MU administration to find a solution to the problem.
The Craft Studio is one of MSA’s biggest investments, according to their 2015-16 budget, so the closing of the valued program would be a big loss for our student government — and our student body. Rather than shutting down the Craft Studio completely, an alternative would be to find a different location, one that suits and fosters its atmosphere of creativity.
Aside from being one of MSA’s most prominent projects, the Craft Studio provides a shelter for creative minds at MU. Woodshop, ceramics, screen printing and general art are just a few offered classes at the studio. Membership and day passes are readily accessible for students and allow for the whole campus to get involved in something artistic.
With the large amount of programs offered at MU, not every enrolled student is able to major in or even take an arts class that allows them to explore new skills. As college students, we are driven to do two things: work hard and find ourselves. We have hours of homework and studying every night, with exams and projects sure to follow, and we cannot afford to lose focus. But we also have the difficult task of shaping who we are and who we will be as young adults and forward, meaning that we must take advantage of this time of independence to try new things and send ourselves in multiple directions.
The Craft Studio is a staple that allows students to find and express themselves freely. For someone like myself, I have minimal art skills, but I enjoy having fun with the supplies and learning different crafts. Personally, crafting relieves stress and becomes a moment when I can have total fun with no expectations. For others, it’s a more serious trade that is both therapeutic and gratifying.
The loss of the Craft Studio prevents students from exploring and enhancing their skills within such a unique trade. The student population deserves such an outlet for their creativity. MSA needs to put maximum effort into saving this project and informing the student body of how great of a resource is at stake.
