The artwork varied from photographs to hand-drawn murals and portraits. The photos and drawings were displayed on boards and hung from a line held together by clothes pins.
“I really liked Richard Monroy’s pieces, especially one of his collages that formed a dancing woman made up of scraps of paper and little paper bird folded and in the sky with feathers,” said Samantha Schlemm, editor of Montage.
Photo credit: Amanda Shulman
Montage began planning the event in late September, with a lot of work during the few weeks before the event.
Schlemm said having the festival in the rotunda this year helped the artwork get tremendous exposure from people passing through the cafeteria. Montage held the event in previous years in Alumni Hall. So, Schlemm was not sure how the group would proceed this year with all the construction.
However, it turned out to be the perfect place for the festival. Schlemm felt all the windows and comfortable chairs helped the art function well with the space.
The new location allowed light to shine in and for professors and students who passed by to stop to admire the artwork as well as pick up a copy of The Montage with pins and bumper stickers proclaiming their love for art.
“It’s cool and the perfect location [for the event]. It draws them to the art. I feel like I’m actually at an art show,” junior Maggie Dooley said.
Quotes accompanied the artwork, which expressed feelings about art and displayed how much passion these students put into their work.
Art-inspired festivities continued throughout the night. Students became the art, as they read their own poetry and played their own music at an open mic.
The Viola Question, a Yale improve group, also performed. The group put on a crowd-pleasing comedic performance. Using its wit and comedy, The Viola Question wowed the spectators with its hilarious ability to roll with the punches.
“I felt the event went really well, although I wish more people would have turned out to see Yale’s improv group The Viola Question,” Schlemm said. “They put on a great show.”
