Collaboration results in new art room for Boys & Girls Clubs
Thanks to a collaboration among students in Creative Campus Initiative, Interior Design, University Stewards, and the University’s sororities, children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama have a new arts and crafts room. Austin James, the Creative Campus intern responsible for Creative Education programs, became aware of the need through his contact with Stephen Miller, programs coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama. James cited Miller’s Boys & Girls Clubs scholarship as evidence for the good that the organization does. “He wouldn’t have been able to come to school if it wasn’t for Boys & Girls Clubs,” James said. “They are an awesome organization that does so much for the kids in our community. I thought they deserved a better facility than what they have now.” Arts programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs supplement the arts activities available to the children at school. They had an arts and crafts space, but James described it as “basically an empty room with old art supplies.”
James and fellow Creative Campus intern Hilary Phillips called in UA Interior Design student Jessica Missildine to assess the children’s needs and draw up plans for the space. Her design features colors that she calls “fresh and funky, rather than primary and educational,” by way of a new paint job, new rugs, and beanbag chairs. She also created a bright new storage system. “This must be a happy place that feels like a getaway after school,” Missildine said. “This room will not only be fun, but will give the kids confidence in their surroundings, and in turn, confidence through life.” The renovation effort took place May 2-3. Members of University Stewards and UA sororities pitched in to help Creative Campus interns, Missildine, and her family clean out the room, paint, and install the new fixtures. Phillips, who set a goal at the beginning of the academic year to get the Greek system more involved in creative activities, organized the sorority workforce. She also recruited volunteers from University Stewards. The endeavor included a massive donation of art supplies so that the children can make full use of their new room. Phillips counted purchasing the supplies among the most fun aspects of the project. Bert Young, unit director for Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama, said he was grateful for all the UA students did to make the facility a better place. “We really try to provide not only a place where young people come and feel safe but also character building and creative opportunities,” Young said. “Unfortunately, we are a non-profit organization, so we don’t have a lot of funds to reinvigorate our old building,” he said. “When groups like this come in and want to help us in this way, it’s phenomenal.” Center for Community-Based Partnerships presented James with an award for this student-initiated project at its annual ceremony May 2.
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