By Drew Baldwin, news correspondent
Northeastern’s first annual Block pARTy, hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA), was a celebration that exhibited student artwork, clubs and shows.
Throughout the day on Tuesday, there were performances in the Curry Indoor Quad led by NU Stage Musical Theater Company and NU & Improv’d. Additionally, various dance groups hosted workshops ranging from Latin dance to Indian fusion in Curry Ballroom and the McLeod Suites.
The student government also showcased nine clubs throughout the Curry Indoor Quad. Most clubs were on-campus publications displaying their previous issues. These included Artistry Magazine, EconPress, Global Journal for International Affairs, Spectrum Literary Magazine and The Avenue. Apart from these, students learned how to make origami with DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Crafts Club and paint with Mural Club.
SGA Vice President of Student Affairs Nathan Hostert was the initiator behind Block pARTy. The event was in the works for a couple years, but was not carried out until Hostert was named vice president.
“Our goal was to give student groups a chance to showcase their work,” he said. “Northeastern has a wide variety of clubs that most people don’t know about, and they aren’t given the opportunity to be heard.”
As WRBB blasted songs like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder, a constant stream of students browsed the events. Students flipped through the featured magazines, which gave them the chance to see what work their peers do that they may not have seen otherwise.
“Being part of a campus club is a good way for artists to get their work out for themselves and for co-op,” Artistry Magazine Editor Xandie Kuenning said. “We can inspire other Northeastern students that aren’t photographers by trait so that they can still do what they love to do.”
Students often utilize publications such as Artistry Magazine and Spectrum Literary Magazine to build their portfolios and resumes. The staff of these publications are generally composed of students majoring in graphic design and journalism. However, there are also staff members like Sophie Cao, a fourth-year pharmacy major and president of the DIY Crafts Club.
“I DIY because it’s stress relieving and takes away from the pressure of school,” Cao said.
Art serves as a creative outlet for students of all interests, regardless of their major or ability. Although Kuenning is studying journalism and Cao is studying pharmacy, they both said they share a love for creative expression and Block pARTy was a way for them to come together to show off what they love to do.
Despite time and space constraints, the event gave students a chance to be heard and display their work for others to see. The first annual Block pARTy was a success in Hostert’s eyes. It fulfilled his goal of showcasing student work and strengthened students’ voices, he said.
“Block pARty isn’t a solution, but it is the first step in making sure these students are heard,” Hostert said.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to the Student Government Association as the Student Government Alliance.
