On Oct. 10, students of all different backgrounds and majors filled the WCP ballroom. Colorful lights danced along the walls, and paintings and digital artwork lined the room. At the front of the ballroom, students performed original music, covers, stand-up comedy and live poetry throughout the night.
‘Muses and Mics,’ hosted by the Creative Arts + Theatre committee of Campus Events + Entertainment, featured a student art showcase and open mic. Jackson Barlow, the chair of Creative Arts + Theatre, said he wanted to create a space where students could enjoy the performances and art gallery in tandem.
“I always encourage others to share their art with the world,” said Barlow, a youth and community studies junior. “It shows who they are and the brightness they have as people.”
In addition to organizing the event with his team, Barlow performed a poem he wrote, inspired by the sensation of water falling, and showcased two pieces of artwork based on “Across the Spider-Verse” and the book series “Eragon.”
“It (wasn’t) nerve-wracking because that’s what we’re there for,” Barlow said. “I like to share my creativity … I hope (I can) inspire others to share their art as well.”
Like Barlow, psychology senior Skai Stubblefield both performed and showcased her art. Stubblefield opened the event with her original song “Vermillion,” which she said was about a fight against oneself.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a point where I wasn’t writing music,” Stubblefield said. “When I make something, I have a meaning for it, but I also want it to be up for interpretation for everybody else. (At open mics), everybody can perceive it differently.”
Stubblefield also showcased an acrylic painting she said symbolized the connectivity between people and the world around them.
“I feel like we’re interconnected with everything … even the smallest thing,” Stubblefield said. “It’s similar to why I like writing music. (With) anything creative, you can look at it from so many different ways.”
Aerospace engineering sophomore Emily Rasband, who covered a song by Amy Winehouse, said although she grew up singing, ‘Muses and Mics’ was her first time performing in college.
“I think that music conveys feelings and emotions that words can’t,” Rasband said. “It’s a way of communicating.”
Dominic Mitchell performed a poem he wrote about the end of the world, considering both the Great Dying and the Book of Revelation of the Bible.
“I got into poetry because I found that some things matter a lot to me,” said Mitchell, a speech, language and hearing sciences freshman. “I wanted to express it in writing, and the best way, I found, was to use my knowledge of linguistics.”
Mateo Martinez, who did a stand-up comedy routine about his first tattoo, said he always looks for open mics where he can do comedy. In his freshman year, he signed up to perform at Cactus Cafe and has been doing stand-up ever since.
“I’ve been doing it all my life,” Martinez, a youth and community studies senior, said. “You’re having a conversation with a friend, realize you’re doing stand-up at them, and you’re like, ‘that could work.’ … I love to do something fresh every time.”
Barlow said experienced members of Creative Arts + Theatre are always open to provide tips and tricks to new performers.
“We’re here to share our talents and our gifts with the wider community, and that goes for everybody,” Barlow said. “We’re here to provide a space (where you can) share your creativity with the world.”
