Students made a splash in the Shapiro Library during the Student Ambassador team’s second annual Sip ‘N Paint event on November 15. Traditionally, “paint and sip” parties combine two of life’s greatest pleasures: art and tasty drinks. In the spirit of this social gathering, students were invited to enjoy a bite-sized version of this experience, painting on mini canvases while enjoying non-alcoholic beverages.
Though Shapiro’s third floor often bustles with noise from students, the atmosphere calms down stepping into the gallery in the center of the floor. During Sip ‘N Paint, we use this space to offer students solace from their busy schedules. Going off of how quiet people were while crafting their masterpieces, it was clear that they were working just as hard on their art as they did on their assignments.
I helped promote this year’s version of the event by including it on Sessions @ Michigan, the University’s event registration platform. Though it took a while to learn how to create a registration page, soon we had a QR code for students to pre-register with. Splitting the event into four sessions of 30 minutes each, rather than a two-hour drop-in session, was a first for the team. Overall, though, it helped the space feel less crowded and made sure that we didn’t run out of supplies. Imagine the disappointment of going to Sip ‘N Paint, only to find you can’t Sip! Or Paint! Or both! Thankfully, students enjoyed both activities in spades at this artistic gathering.