Every week, the Cultural Center, located at 81 Blake Street in Keene State College, hosts a Watercolor Wednesday, from 1-2:30, to bring painters of all levels together.
There are watercolor paints, brushes, markers and watercolor paper for students to use. The event is used for community bonding, as well as, a stress relief for a lot of students.
The event coordinator for Watercolor Wednesday is Coordinator of LGBTQ Student Support Ian Kaplan, who works within the Cultural Center alongside recent Keene State College alumni Nina Zienkiewicz who joined Kaplan with in the Cultural Center this summer.
“One way I’ve seen a few first-year students meet at Watercolor Wednesday, was students becoming friends,” Kaplan said. “ It’s also a great way for students to connect to the Cultural Center. Students have talked to [Zienkiewicz] and I about problems in their lives and about being a first year student. We are able to talk through those issues and connect them to resources at Keene State.”
“It just started this year. It’s my personal watercolors and I made a poster and people showed up,” said Kaplan. “I like watercolor painting myself. When I heard about crafter- noons, I wanted to add this event. Students have been showing up regularly. About six or seven consistent students a week.”
“There was a lull in my tasks and I wanted to meet new students. I also wanted to learn more about watercolor.” stated Zienkiewicz.
According to its page on the Keene State College website, “The Office of Student Diversity, Belonging, and Equity offers weekly, monthly, and annual programming to the Cultural Center and to other spaces on campus, such as Crafternoon, Out & About,and the Flag Raising Celebration.”
As stated by its page on the Keene State College website,“Keene State College’s Office of Student Diversity, Belonging, and Equity (OSDBE) provides opportunities for students to honor and express their authentic selves by facilitating exploration of their role in and responsibilities to local and global communities. The OSDBE strives to co-create communities that are equitable, caring, and inclusive by connecting students, colleagues, and campus partners to each other and their environment.”
Madelyn French can be contacted at
mfrench@kscequinox.com
