CIU: A Place for Poets, Painters and other Artists

CIU: A Place for Poets, Painters and other Artists

Poetry reading by CIU students
Artwork on display at CIU.

Artwork by CIU students. (Photo: Alicia Heatherly, CIU student photographer)

By Naomi Balk

CIU Student Writer

In a dimmed atmosphere of fairy lights, a blazing hearth fire, and the aroma of coffee, Columbia International University students shared an evening of art and poetry at an October exposition co-hosted by student organizations The Credo and The Exchange. 

Sophomore Blaise Shields, the president of The Exchange said the event “was for people to get their art out in the open so that people can be recognized as artists.”

“A part of wrestling with who we are and what we believe is done through art,” added senior Elizabeth Branch who heads The Credo.

The event was held in the lobby of the Moore Fitness Center where there was space for students to savor and appreciate each other’s art in the form of paintings and photography before settling in for a time of poetry reading.    

Poetry topics included the Christian walk, struggles with anxiety, and the joy of giving.

“I really enjoyed people’s willingness to share and I feel like I know them better because of it,” sophomore Anna Thompkins said.

“It was a chance to see a different side of people,” added junior Will Huff.  

Reflecting on the exposition, sophomore Nathan Stewart said that he thinks everyone should write poetry.

“One part of doing art is the enjoyment of making it, and the other is sharing it.”