A vibrant celebration of art and inclusivity unfolded within the hallowed halls of the College of Design at Iowa State University as the College of Design Art Club (CODAC) hosted a fundraiser on October 15, 2024. This event was not just about raising funds but about fostering a sense of community, creativity, and diversity among students through their unique art creations.
The fundraiser aimed to support free art workshops and an upcoming ceramics convention trip, providing students with opportunities to explore their artistic talents without financial barriers. Sam Morrow, the club’s treasurer and an integrated studio arts program graduate, emphasized the importance of making art accessible to everyone. “Art can be a really expensive subject or hobby to get into,” Morrow said. “We put on these workshops for free to make sure anyone can participate.”
The event showcased an array of designs created by talented students such as Jennifer Cruz-Meiborg, Karina Scott, Alex Mier, Galvin Smith, and Irina Sacuiu. What set these designs apart was their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), reflecting a conscious effort by the artists to promote these values through their art. Cruz-Meiborg shared her motivation behind emphasizing DEI themes, highlighting the need to offer different perspectives amidst a polarized societal discourse. “I was motivated to focus on DEI because I see how it’s become a topic that has been twisted,” Cruz-Meiborg said. “I wanted to give an alternate perspective and highlight how Iowa State and Ames have a diverse thinking group.”
Morrow reiterated the significance of DEI in the creative process, emphasizing that it should not be politicized but rather seen as a means to create something beautiful and inclusive. “It has everything to do with creating something beautiful, a lot like art, and it can be reflected in our community too,” Morrow expressed.
The club’s innovative designs included buttons and shirts adorned with messages of inclusivity, each student infusing their unique artistic style and vision into the fundraiser. Beyond just raising funds, the students were eager to engage with the community and gather feedback on their creations. “We’re curious about people’s opinions on the buttons themselves,” Cruz-Meiborg shared, highlighting the interactive and collaborative nature of the event.
The CODAC fundraiser was not just a standalone event but a reflection of the club’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an open and inviting creative space on the university campus. By leveraging art as a tool for social change and unity, the club aims to inspire and empower students to express themselves authentically and embrace diversity in all its forms.
As the echoes of creativity continue to resonate within the College of Design, the CODAC fundraiser stands as a testament to the transformative power of art in fostering connections, sparking conversations, and building a more inclusive and vibrant community. To learn more about the club and support their endeavors, visit their website and consider contributing to their noble cause. Your donation will not only support the student journalists of the Iowa State Daily but also enable these budding artists to continue creating impactful and meaningful art that transcends boundaries and speaks to the heart of humanity.
