Amid the hustle and bustle of life on Colgate University’s campus, some student groups get together to slow down and nurture their artistic side. Crafter’s Club is one of those groups. The club has weekly meetings where members take the time to socialize and wind down through various arts and crafts, including knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking and DIY projects.
Kaliyah Honore, a sophomore and the secretary of Crafter’s Club, explained how she views the club as a comfortable space for its members.
“I would describe Crafter’s Club as a sort of sanctuary away from the stresses of daily life,” Honore said. “The goal of the club, aside from crafting, is to provide a safe space for everyone and anyone on campus who is in need of one. Our club is a melting pot of people who all came into it with different intentions but left with a strong sense of community and an understanding that whenever they need a safe space, they know where to go — which is pretty much what I think Crafter’s Club is all about.”
Saaya Rai, a sophomore and treasurer of the club, touched on the vision of the group as a whole.
“Our vision for Crafter’s Club is to be a welcoming space for every student on campus to sit and craft together,” Rai said. “We want to provide a space for all students to feel comfortable in expressing their creativity — a place to unwind and craft. Our space is non-judgmental and encourages everyone to take on crafting regardless of their skill level. It is mostly for fun and allowing students to take on or continue being entwined with their creativity.”
Crafter’s Club meets from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays in room 226 of McGregory Hall. Sophomore Amanda Ariunzaya, the president of Crafter’s Club, outlined what a typical gathering looks like.
“It’s really a low-pressure, casual space with a [Studio] Ghibli soundtrack in the background,” Ariunzaya said.
For Honore, the welcoming nature of the club played a significant role during her first year on campus, helping her to find belonging and connection.
“When I joined Crafter’s Club during my first semester in my freshman year, I honestly felt called to it,” Honore said. “This club was the first place where I felt the greatest sense of community on this campus. Through this club, I was able to connect with so many people, meet some of my closest friends and express my creativity through various mediums.”
Crafter’s Club is part of the widening scene of art and creativity on Colgate’s campus.
“The art scene at Colgate is very vibrant, with several dance groups, a cappella groups and literary arts organizations,” Ariunzaya said. “However, I don’t think it’s necessarily the art scene that needs to change but rather the formal recognition of what these arts clubs and their leadership bring to campus life. As a result, I’m working with [the Office of Student Involvement (OSI)] to add a ‘Creative Excellence’ category to the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, which would give proper acknowledgment to leaders in arts organizations like our very own Crafter’s Club, Colgate Portfolio, Masque & Triangle and Dead Poets Society. Recognizing leadership across all these arts organizations is crucial to further nurturing Colgate’s art scene.”
Coming up, Crafter’s Club is hosting “Paint Your Tote Bag Night” on Oct. 17 in room 217 of McGregory Hall from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tote bags and paint supplies will be provided to students. To keep up with events, follow @colgatecrafters on Instagram.
