Art groups seek visibility

UNC holds a number of student organizations tailored to the arts, and this year they plan to help get people excited about the arts and access the arts — from classes to lectures to museums.

Here’s a look at the three main visual arts-based groups on campus.

Undergraduate Art Association

One group that has struggled with recognition throughout its history is the Undergraduate Art Association.

UAA president sophomore Richie Transou is working to increase membership and publicize the group’s events.

Transou said that the UAA’s greatest endeavor for the year is to have more fun and be more accessible at on-campus events.

“We want to have mini art classes, both student- and staff-led,” Transou said. “Getting into the fine arts classes at Carolina is difficult, so we want to provide an opportunity outside of class.”

Transou said the group is also focused on finding a way to sell student art as a means of promoting the organization.

“Selling student art was gratifying for young artists, as well as a great experience for them to understand the process of making a career as an artist,” he said.

This organization is open to all students who have a passion for art, regardless of major. Transou himself is applying to the pharmacy school.

Kappa Pi

Founded a few years ago, Kappa Pi honors co-ed fraternity focuses on fine art and art history.

President Hallie Ringle said she and three friends created Kappa Pi to form a network for those in the Department of Art.

“It is important to have friends that share your interest,” she said.

Although relatively new amongst honor societies, Kappa Pi is growing quickly and hosts numerous events each semester.

Ringle said that members also volunteer in the community and attend lectures and museum tours.

Each semester the group organizes an out-of-town trip to two artistically diverse cities. While there, they visit as many museums as possible.

While this organization is open to students of all majors, they must have completed at least 12 hours of art credit to be considered a national member.

Students who do not have enough art hours can still participate as “associate members.”

Student Friends of the Ackland

The largest and most widely known visual arts group on campus is Student Friends of the Ackland, an organization with 250 to 300 members.

In addition to acting as liaison between the Ackland Art Museum and the student body, SFA also hosts panels and forums.

“The group was created in 2004 as a way to bring students into the museum,” president Brittney Jenkins said.

Their largest events each semester involve celebrations for new exhibitions at the museum.

Last semester SFA also sponsored a panel on careers with arts and museums with University Career Services. They discussed the variety of jobs available, beyond just teaching or museum work.

“Students who want a careers in the arts are not given a lot of direction. We had this event so that they could see there are things to do beyond a professorship,” she said.


Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.